REMARKS BY THE KPA MANAGING DIRECTOR, RASHID K SALIM IEng. IMarEng. DURING THE CORPORATE GOLF TOURNAMENT DINNER AT NYALI GOLF CLUB ON 21ST NOVEMBER 2020.
The Chairman of the Kenya Ports Authority Board
KPA Board of Directors present
The Club Chairman,
The Club Captain,
Distinguished stakeholders and golfers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening,
It gives me great pleasure to once again host you to this KPA Corporate Golf Dinner at this lush Nyali Golf Club.
As per our calendar of events, this is the second Corporate Golf Tournament we are hosting having interacted with our Machakos stakeholders and the business community a month ago.
It's our sincere hope that you were able to put up a good game and enjoyed the day.
Ladies and Gentlemen
This has been a tough year for us all as Covid-19 has thrust us into an unfamiliar territory. Even as we gather here today, I urge you to observe the COVID-19 protocols because this fight is far from over and it is our responsibility to protect each other.
So please wash/sanitize your hands, wear your mask and keep a safe distance so that together we can slow the spread of this disease.
I wish to thank you for honouring our invitation as these encounters affords us an opportunity to meet, consult and deliberate on our shared goals.
I also want to appreciate your cautious optimism, shown by your presence today because hope is greater than fear and despite all the challenges, this is only temporary, and we shall soon overcome.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The current pandemic has brought with it a lot of uncertainty not only in our personal lives but also in business. This led to the shrinking of the world economy as production took a hit as factories closed down.
However, the number of ships pulling into ports to unload and load containers is rebounding in many parts of the world in the third quarter of 2020, according to new UNCTAD calculations.
This offers a hopeful sign for world merchandise trade, which suffered a historic year-on-year fall of 27% in the second quarter.
But new data show that, globally, the average weekly calls have started to recover, rising to 9,265 by early August, just 3% below the levels of one year earlier.
We are happy to announce that similarly, the Port of Mombasa has also been recording the positive improvement as our port performance statistics have shown.
During the period July-October 2020/21 the Port handled 11,698,000 tons against the set target of 11,967,000 tons, posting a negative variance of 269,000 tons or 2.3%. Although the performance remains below the set target, the Port is slowly recovering from the impact of Covid 19 pandemic experienced during the period of March to June 2020. An overall positive variance of 39,000 tons or 0.3% was realized during the period under review compared to 11,659,000 tons handled in the corresponding period in 2019/20.
Toward this end we are hoping for a recovery if all variables remain constant, and we continue to collaborate with the national government as well as our stakeholders to ensure a return to normalcy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Despite all these challenges, we remain focused on transforming our facilities and improving the business environment.
We have made progress in the many infrastructural investments we are implementing.
- The ongoing construction of the Kipevu Oil Terminal is at 75 percent completion. This new terminal will significantly improve our capacity and efficiency as we will be able to discharge four oil tankers at a go unlike the current scenario where only one tanker can discharge at a time.
- Phase two of the second container terminal is at 60 percent completion. This new phase which comprises an additional two berths, will increase capacity at the port of Mombasa by 450,000 Teus.
- Earlier in the year KPA commenced operations at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot, a positive step towards bringing port services closer to the hinterlands. So far business at the facility is steadily picking with one freight train plying the route daily. We are working to improve the facility further so that we can grow the volumes.
- The construction of the Port of Lamu which is envisioned to open up the Northern part of the country and introduce a new corridor is progressing well with the completion of the first three berths.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We remain unwavering in our effort to ensure excellent service delivery as we seek to position our facilities as the premier maritime hubs in the region. We also value your feedback and collaboration and we are always at hand to consult and engage in all issues that are important to us both. Let me conclude by expressing my utmost gratitude to all those who contributed in one way or another in making this event a success.
Thank you all and enjoy your evening.