Upstream transport corridor inefficiencies and the implications for port performance: a case analysis of Mombasa Port and the Northern Corridor

Abstract

The role of efficient ports in the socio-economic prosperity of national and regional economies cannot be overstated. However, their ability to effectively deliver on this role is easily undermined by circumstances in the wider socio-economic context, particularly poor hinterland connectivity. In order to enhance international trade connectivity, many advanced and advancing economies continue to invest significant resources in developing efficient ports and hinterland transport networks. The situation is different in many parts of the developing world, particularly Africa, where poor economic connectivity and inefficient gateway ports result in prohibitively high transportation costs. Focusing on the northern trade and transport corridor in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region, this article examines how poor hinterland connectivity undermines the performance of Mombasa port. It concludes that, although the port’s management has in recent years invested significantly in performance-enhancing initiatives, their success is limited by a constricted economic environment that is characterised by poor hinterland connectivity and chronic logistics bottlenecks along the arterial corridor.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Lijun Tang of the Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) for the useful comments that he provided, which added to the enrichment of the paper.

Notes

1. The term ICFS is commonly used to refer to a facility affiliated to a parent port or airport where export/import containers are held temporarily in transit and where functions such as container stripping, stuffing and repackaging may take place. Additional functions may include customs and clearance services.