Kenya Railways eyes 11 SGR freight trains by November on higher demand

The Kenya Railways commercial cargo train. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By WINNIE ATIENO

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Summary

• KR official Sammy Gachuhi says more companies looking to transport cargo on the SGR due to its lower costs and efficiency.
• Mr Gachuhi says KRC is wooing importers and CFS's to embrace the SGR.
• Currently, three cargo trains leave Mombasa to Nairobi in a day.

The Kenya Railways Corporation has said it will increase commercial operations of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) freight train service to 11 in November on increased demand.

Kenya Railways' business and commercial expert Sammy Gachuhi said more companies want to transport cargo on the SGR due to its lower costs and efficiency.

Mr Gachuhi said KR expects to reach agreements with companies by offering competitive rates and discounts to transport cargo.

“We are engaging more players and agencies, the response has been positive. They are carrying out tests they are giving us containers on a day-to-day basis.

"So far they are happy with the service we have provided. We will meet our targets,” Mr Gachuhi said.

READ: Kenya Railways extends special rates for SGR cargo to June 30

Three trains

Currently, three trains leave the Port of Mombasa to transport cargo to Nairobi’s Inland Container Depot in a day.

The government directed all un-nominated containers (those without a preferred freigt station for storage) transported via SGR to the inland container depot in Embakasi, Nairobi, for final clearance.

“In April we will do four trains, by June we will be moving six and November 11 in total. This market is big, we have been talking to container freight station (CFS) owners and we believe in cooperation. They have given us numbers of trains they would be able to offer us,” Mr Gichuhi said.

He added: “The number of containers that we are moving on a daily basis compared to what is shipped is only a third."

READ: Container freighters’ plan to ride on SGR to remain in business

Wooing importers

Mr Gichuhi said KRC is wooing importers and CFS's to embrace the railway.

“We need to partner and offer them agreements. For instance, we entered an agreement with Bollore Transport and Logistics Company to carry all their cargo whether transit or going to Nairobi. Bollore has convinced their customers who are importers to use SGR,” he added.

He said market for SGR freight train has increased.

On Thursday, the rail line got a major boost when Bollore Transport and Logistics loaded the freight train with a total of 108 20-foot containers.