Kenya Railways has successfully run the first trial freight train on the new constructed link connecting the Standard Gauge Railway and Meter Gauge Railway in Naivasha. The cargo which was loaded at the Port of Mombasa and transported via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), was seamlessly transhipped onto the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (NICD), and is destined for Malaba.

Speaking during the event, Kenya Railways Managing Director Mr. Philip Mainga, EBS, said that with a capacity to handle 120,000 TEUs annually, The Naivasha ICD facility will handle mostly transit cargo to the Great Lakes Region including Uganda, South Sudan, DR Congo, Northern Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, which account for 30% of imports and exports through the Port of Mombasa. He added that the new railway line linking the Standard Gauge Railway to the Metre Gauge Railway at the Naivasha Inland Container Depot will further enhance efficiencies and ease the transshipment process.

“Our clients will now enjoy seamless transportation of cargo from the Port of Mombasa to Malaba and onward to the East African region in a safe, reliable and cost effective way,” he said.

Mr. Mainga reiterated that the railway line offers a service that is premised on safety, efficiency and reliability.  It is also convenient for East African partner states who will not have to cover an entire 572 kilometers by road between Mombasa and Naivasha. He also confirmed that transporters and importers can now pick their cargo at Malaba 36 hours from the time the train departs from the Port of Mombasa.  Customers may also choose to use Rail from Malaba to Kampala.

Mr. Mainga also said that at the Naivasha ICD, local clients will be offered a 30 Days free storage with quick cargo processing and transshipment onto wagons.

“We will have regular, speedy and reliable delivery of cargo through well-organized trains schedules with strict timetables for the evacuation of cargo and empty container repatriation from the Inland Container Terminals,” said Mr. Mainga.

He also noted that the corporation holds a strong safety record and will strive to ensure incidences are minimized, adding that there is a Goods in Transit Cover for goods moved on Railway network