The Port of Mombassa in Kenya is struggling to maintain port operations as containers pile up and ships wait days to dock, and diverted vessels arrive from heavily congested Dar es Salaam in neighbouring Tanzania.

"Most of those who have imported goods for use locally are not in a hurry to remove containers because they are engaged in speculative habits, withholding their goods until the right time," said an unidentified port user, quoted in The Nation newspaper in Nairobi.

It said that at least 14,000 containers were stacked at Mombassa by January 30, in spite of the capacity of the container handling facility being 13,000 TEU.

The massive congestion is expected to worsen as five ships have been waiting to load and discharge containers at the port since the beginning of this week, with three more scheduled to join the queue. Average waiting time is reportedly four days.

Gridlock and delays have been pushing up the costs associated with using the port, and shipping agents are preparing to introduce a Vessel Delay Surcharge (VDS) to recover their losses.

Shipping lines have already implemented a VDS at Dar es Salaam, which may serve to drive customers away, adding to Mombassa's congestion.

Dar es Salaam Port has been reeling from the effects of congestion since November. Eight container ships were said to be waiting to berth by the end of January, with waiting times ranging from six to 10 days.