Sea freight & containers — FAQs

The Port of Mombasa (Kilindini), East Africa’s largest seaport.

Full Container Load — you use an entire 20ft or 40ft container for your goods.

Less than Container Load — your goods share a container with other shippers and you pay for the space used.

Once your cargo fills roughly half of a 20ft container, FCL is often similar in cost and involves less handling.

About 33 cubic metres — often the contents of a one- or two-bedroom home or around 10 standard pallets.

About 67 cubic metres — a larger home, or around 20–21 standard pallets.

A 40ft container about one foot taller than standard, giving roughly 76 cubic metres of space for bulky cargo.

Yes, if there is safe access for a truck and container. Loading time is limited and agreed in advance.

A dry port in Nairobi connected to Mombasa by the Standard Gauge Railway, where containers can be cleared closer to Nairobi.

An inland depot at the end of the current SGR line, useful for cargo going to western Kenya and Uganda.

The ocean transport document that serves as a receipt, contract of carriage and document of title for the cargo.

Often yes, if the container has room and the vehicle is properly secured. All contents must be declared.

When cargo is moved from one vessel to another at a hub port during the journey. Most US–Kenya ocean services involve transhipment.

Yes, if packed properly. Crate fragile items and fill gaps so nothing moves during the voyage.