NAIROBI, July 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is expected to reduce cargo losses for importers and exporters in the East African region, the shippers lobby said Wednesday.
Shippers Council Eastern African (SCEA) Chief Executive Gilbert Langat told Xinhua in Nairobi that traders typically lose about two percent of all cargo transported by road along the Mombasa to Nairobi Highway.
"The Mombasa to Nairobi SGR is expected to eliminate cargo losses as the rail offers maximum security for goods," Langat said on the sidelines of the launch of the Kenya Association Manufacturers priority policies.
Traders who use road transport usually lose cargo to criminal cartels who pilfer their freight while the truck is on the numerous truck stops along the Nairobi to Mombasa Highway.
Langat noted that transportation of cargo by SGR is safe because the railway runs from the port to an inland container depot in Nairobi.
About 70 percent of cargo at the port of Mombasa is destined to Nairobi, with the rest going to other towns in Kenya as well as South Sudan, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
Langat said that the SGR will also reduce the time it takes for cargo to travel from the Port of Mombasa to Nairobi.
"Currently, no trucks transport cargo at night along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway due to insecurity and this means that freight takes longer to arrive at the destination," he added.
"However, with the SGR, it is possible to move cargo at night and this will reduce travel times and cost of cargo," Langat said. Enditem
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