Kigali Logistic Platform under construction
Rwanda’s first modern Inland Port will be officially up and running starting this November 2018, officials have confirmed.
The two phase $80M port project, sitting on 30 hectares in in Masaka sector, Kicukiro district has since March last year been under construction and is run by Dubai Ports World (DPW) Group.
The first phase, which was to be completed by July, includes a container yard and goods storage facilities, space for cargo forwarders, shippers and transport operators.
“We are about 60 percent completed on the construction works. We are only left with one warehouse and container yard, and cosmetic construction activities which we will complete mid – November, ready for the launch event,” Sumeet Bhardwaj, CEO of DPW Logistics Rwanda told KT Press exclusively on Tuesday.
The site will also have customs inspections, tax offices, maintenance and repair, banking and IT infrastructure.
Bhardwaj also revealed that “Currently, engineers are testing the cargo handling equipment, the terminal systems to align them with the operation systems at Rwanda Revenue Authority, existing commercial banks, and the One Stop Center services.”
The first phase will cover 11ha and host a 12,000sqm2 container yard with a capacity to hold 50,000 units and two 19,600 sqm2 warehouses with an estimated annual capacity of 640, 000 tons each.
Once completed the first phase will be able to handle over 600,000 tonnes of annual cargo through the port.
The entire project will be completed in 2020 at a cost of $80 Million.
kigali Logistic Platform site
The port is expected to boost the 48-year old Magasins Generaux du Rwanda (MAGERWA) warehouse which currently handles 5, 000 containers and 100, 000 tons annually.
The second phase will start with facilities like refrigerators which he said, are “very expensive”.
Upon completion, KLP is expected to reduce transport costs and increase profits for businesses through reduction of turnaround time of trucks and containers.
Business owners who use MAGERWA services in their activities have a lot to gain once the Platform is completed.
kigali-Logistic-Platform site
Irenee Iraguha, proprietor of Go Fast a transport company in Kigali dealing in cargo shipment told KT Press, that the facility is a relief.
“Operation of this facility will reduce the shipment to timeline of shipment from weeks to just a couple of days,” Iraguha said in an earlier interview.
DPW constructors has a portfolio of more than 65 marine terminals across the world employing more than 35,000 people. In Africa, the company operates in Algeria, Djibouti, Mozambique and Senegal.
