В Кении вступил в силу новый цифровой механизм освобождения контейнеров без предоплаты

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Shippers using A.P. Moller–Maersk (Maersk) in Kenya will no longer need to pay refundable cash deposits for shipping containers under a new digital trade financing partnership with Viaservice-Ke. Under the new arrangement, Maersk customers can release shipping containers without paying a deposit upfront, with Viaservice advancing payments for demurrage, damage and total-loss charges on behalf of customers on a reimbursement basis. Traditionally, shipping lines require importers to pay a deposit before releasing a container, which is refunded once the empty unit is returned. The arrangement can tie up working capital for weeks or months, particularly for businesses handling multiple containers. The new deal will give Maersk customers access to the Viaservice Container Solution (VCS), a digital platform that Viaservice has used to provide freight forwarders and logistics stakeholders with financing for container-related charges and logistics transactions. Viaservice Managing Director John Mathenge said the partnership would help businesses improve cash flow and operations. “At Viaservice, we are committed to providing innovative digital and financial solutions that facilitate trade and support the growth of businesses operating in fast-growing economies,” Mathenge said. “Our partnership with Maersk marks an important milestone in expanding access to digital trade financing solutions and strengthening the logistics ecosystem in the region.” Maersk Area Managing Director for Eastern Africa Tito Okuku said the partnership would address both operational and financial challenges facing customers. “As Kenya continues to strengthen its position as a regional trade and logistics hub, our customers require solutions that support working capital management, reduce transaction bottlenecks, and facilitate seamless movement of goods,” Okuku said. Morgan Lépinoy, Managing Director of Viatrans SA, said the rollout in Kenya builds on an existing VCS partnership in Tanzania. “Welcoming Maersk onto the VCS platform in Kenya marks an important expansion of a partnership already successfully established in Tanzania,” Lépinoy said. He said the arrangement would also benefit regional trade corridors served through the Port of Mombasa by reducing the amount of capital tied up in container deposits.