Households and businesses should prepare for a rise in commodity prices as Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) plans to increase tariffs on more than 25 services at its facilities, including Mombasa, Lamu, and Inland Container Depots (ICDs).

The hikes will affect shippers, traders, clearing agents, port service providers, transporters, and other users, who are likely to pass the additional costs to consumers.

The review comes following advice from consultancy firm Maritime Business and Economic Consultants, owned by former KPA executives, which won a Sh14.8 million contract to guide the update. The last tariff review was done in 2012.

The planned increases cover pilotage fees, tug and mooring services, light dues, dockage, buoyage, anchorage, fresh water supply, salvage and towing operations, stevedoring, container handling, storage charges, penalties, port access fees, and ferry services, among others.

Annual licenses for businesses operating in KPA facilities will also rise. Fees will range from $450 (Sh58,268) for basic suppliers to $15,000 (Sh1.9 million) for specialized cargo service providers.

Other businesses, including M-Pesa shops, retailers, newspaper vendors, and oil companies, will also pay higher licensing fees.

Annual port access passes will increase, with ordinary passes rising to Sh3,000, VIP passes Sh6,000, saloon car passes Sh5,000, and heavy machinery passes Sh15,000. Daily entry fees will remain available for vehicles.

According to KPA Managing Director, Capt. William Ruto, the new tariffs under the KPA Tariff 2025 Edition will take effect from September 15, 2025. Vessels will pay up to Sh971,148 annually, depending on size and operations, in addition to other port service fees. Minimum per-call charges will rise to $180 (Sh23,307) from $150 (Sh19,422).

The Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) estimates container costs may increase 10–15% for imports and 2–5% for exports. SCEA Chief Executive Agayo Ogambi said the review will affect businesses heavily, and stakeholders had hoped for a delay given current economic challenges.

Clearing agents have strongly opposed the increases, particularly on licensing, warning that higher fees will raise operational costs. Roy Mwanthi, former KIFWA chairman, said: “We object and reject [the increases] in capital letters.”

Despite concerns, SCEA acknowledged KPA has maintained some 2012 tariff lines and introduced adjustments following stakeholder engagement, including new charges for port greening and conservation efforts.