Somalia
2.1.4 Somalia Port of Kismayo
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Key port information can also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com/ports/topports.php

Port Overview

The Port of Kismayo was built in 1966 for the purpose of exporting bananas and other small products and importing other agricultural machineries as well as other goods, as the road between Mogadishu and Kismayu was only accessible during the dry season therefore, the port was to cover the needs of the lower Jubba. After more than 20 years the port has not been maintained.

Port Location and Contacts

Country

Somalia

Province or District

Lower Jubba Region 

Town or City (Closest location) with Distance (km)

Name: Kismayo (2 kms)

Port's Complete Name

Kismayu Port 

Latitude

-0.365278

Longitude

42.54306

Managing Company or Port Authority

Jubba Interim Administration 

Management Contact Person

Abdullahi Dubad Shiil
Port Manager, Kismayo Port
+252616630000/+252615571455 

Closest Airport and Frequent Airlines to / from International Destinations

Airport Name: Kismayo Airport

Airlines: Central Airline, Hajjara Airline, Blue Sky Airline

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

There are no registered companies that deal with the subject matter in terms of maritime rules, but local private companies can be found.

The condition of Kismayo seaport is not good since there have been no repairs or maintenance made for a long period of time. Buildings that have collapsed due to lack of maintenance cause hazards and makes the port dangerous to operate in. It has no toilets, electricity lightening and safe water for drinking.  

For information on Somalia Port contact details, please see the following link: 4.4 Somalia Port and Waterways Company Contact List

Port Performance

  • 80% of the port facilities are out of use.
  • There is no congestion at the port manifested by the number of vessels that call at the port, but priority is always given humanitarian cargo.
  • Currently there is an established procedure for inspection of ships carrying food to produce Phytosanitary and Drafting Certificates.
  • Since the facilities are not complete, including offloading cranes, forklifts and other equipment to handle the goods during the offloading, it may take longer than expected.  
  • Twice a month vessels for the Mediterranean Shipping Company call with containerised cargo.
  • Only Hormuud Business company imports goods in bulk (they specially import sugar in bulk) and sometimes does break bulk in Kismayo. 

Port of Kismayo – Seasonal Constraints

Rainy Season

Yes

From May to Sept

Major Import Campaigns

N/A

N/A

Other

N/A

N/A

Port of Kismayo – Handling Figures

Vessel Calls

Only local vessels

Container Traffic (TEUs)

N/A

Bulk (mt)

N/A

Break-bulk (mt)

N/A

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

It is negotiable with the local authority, since Somali shipping laws office is not currently in charge of the ports, hence the local authorities will negotiate with the freight carriers before berthing in.

For information on Somalia Port tariffs, please see the following document: Somalia Port Tariffs

Port Handling Equipment

There is no handling equipment in the port of Kismayo. Cranes are hired from the market during stevedoring. There is only one RO-RO tug.

Port of Kismayo – Port Handling Equipment

Equipment

Available

Total Quantity and Capacity Available

Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage

Dockside Crane

N/A

N/A N/A

Container Gantries

N/A

N/A N/A

Mobile Cranes

Yes

35-50 tons

Sometimes the crane boom has to be evaluated to determine if it can handle the service 

Reach stacker

N/A

N/A N/A

RoRo Tugmaster

N/A

N/A N/A

Grain Elevator & Bagging Machines

Yes N/A

Obtainable in the market

Transtrainer

N/A

N/A N/A

Forklifts

N/A

N/A N/A

Customs Guidance

The new interim administration of Jubbaland state is expected to set up custom offices for both seaport and airport as early as possible. This will be subject to change if the government emanates new draft laws regulating the fiscal laws nationwide.
No websites are available for the respective custom details.

There have been no standardized procedures for customs clearance in the port of Kismayo and it is hard to know if there are amendments on the existing ones. The Ministry of Finance and the Port Authority are, however, line ministries.

The Ministry of Information, Transport and Communication/Kismayo Port Authority and the Ministry of Finance jointly act as the regulatory body. They are responsible for checking all port operations and have no defined roles. The director is the head of all activities in Kismayo. They are assisted by the (AMISOM) Kenya Navy at the port in patrolling and checking of vessels. 

For information on Somalia Customs details, please see the following link: 1.3 Somalia Customs Information

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

All that existed but for now remain non-operational. 

Grain and Bulk Handling

Handling is possible if the ships have their own cranes and can be stored for short time in the existing precarious conditions of the warehouses.

Main Storage Terminal

There are only four warehouse facilities available in Kismayo port; all the warehouses belong to the port and are managed by the Port Authority.

Two of the warehouses in the port are being used by WFP and IOM. WFP warehouse is the largest warehouse with capacity 1,400 mt, and the rest are small.

Of the 3 main warehouses in Kismayo port, only one can be used for storage while the other 2 require rehabilitation.  

Stevedoring

  • Hired casual workers for a day or two depending on the length of the activity.

  • No formal stevedoring service exists but local individuals can provide.  

Hiterland Information

  • Items are moved out of the port by trucks and other small carriers directly to the destination of the goods and their capacity varies is between 25 – 40 mt.
  • There are small unions that work periodically but they are not permanent. 
  • Kismayo has only one tarmac road that runs at the center of the town joining the airport, seaport and the presidential palace 15-18 km. Since the town of Kismayo has changed hands between militias multiple times, this road was adversely affected. It has been recently renovated by DAI-USAID funded organization. This same road extends to Jilib via Bulogadud-Gobweyn-Jamame and beyond Kismayo.
  • This road is one of the most dangerous in Somalia, not only because of the terrain of the land and the status of the road but there are also over 10 illegal checkpoints and militia presence. At Jilib one branch goes to Mogadishu, another one to Afmadow while one joins Jilib to Bualle.
  • Besides this there are other number of feeder roads that people and vehicles use to travel between the five villages of Kismayo. These feeder roads are equally in poor condition some of them are blocked by the sand dunes and garbage from the nearby blocks making transport difficult, costly and unsafe.
  • A few of these roads have been jointly rehabilitated by WFP, local NGO (Intersom) and the local authority.
  • The roads that connect Kismayo to Afmadow, Dobley, and Badhadhe are murram with black cotton soil impassible during rains.  

Port Security

  • Currently the port is fully under the responsibility of AMISOM. 

Port of Kismayo – Security

ISPS Compliant

No

Current ISPS Level

N/A

Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional

Police Boats

No

Fire Engines

No

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