It is reported that Uganda may soon open a dry dock and container terminal in Mombasa. This follows fruitful discussions between the Governments of Kenya and Uganda to exchange land on reciprocal basis in Kampala. This was disclosed by Uganda Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of foreign affairs Mr Amb James Mugume who called on Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director early this week.

He said Presidents Mr Mwai Kibaki and Mr Yoweri Museveni had agreed to have a one stop centre in Kampala for Kenyan business community in exchange of land to set up a terminal to handle Ugandan goods in Mombasa.

Representing the MD, Mr Twalib Khamis, the Harbour Master echoed this effort saying it will compliment the KPA's measures to decongest the port and enhance efficiency in cargo handling. He noted that congestion at port was a thing of the past while ships waiting period had reduced from 6 days to 5 hours or less.

KPA is currently involved in major expansion program to enhance the capacity of the port of Mombasa with plans at advanced stage to construct the second container terminal, and dredging of the channel to 15 meters to accommodate bigger vessels. Expected to be complete by 2013, the second terminal will double the capacity of the port and handle over 1.2 Million TEUs.

Mr Mugume said "we are here to identify land, their suitability and value and proceed to finalize the exchange between the two nations."

(Sourced from www.hellenicshippingnews.com)