Customer Advisory – Service Delays to Zanzibar (ZNZ)

We would like to inform you of ongoing service disruptions affecting cargo deliveries to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Malindi port. These delays are due to congestion at the port, primarily caused by the prioritization of bulk cargo vessels which are critical for the local community’s food and essential goods supply. This has been the case since FEB 2025.

What’s Happening?

• Vessel waiting times at the main berth have reached approximately 35 days which have resulted into Extended transit times for cargo destined for ZNZ.
• Ad-hoc feeder vessels deployed to support cargo flow are also experiencing delays due to congestion at alternative berths.
• This situation is impacting our ability to maintain regular service frequency and timely cargo delivery.

What’s being done?

We are actively working to mitigate the impact through a combination of short- and long-term measures.

• Additional capacity and routing options: We have secured extra slots on the FEF barge service, which operates via an alternate berth in Zanzibar with significantly shorter waiting times (10–13 days). So far, we have cleared approximately 1,500 MTS of backlogged cargo has been cleared through this route.
• Berth access improvements: We are continuing to engage with port authorities and terminal operators to explore more efficient berth allocations and reduce vessel waiting times.
• Service review underway: Our Network Team is reviewing the current service schedule to adapt to Zanzibar’s evolving operational landscape. The goal is to prevent severe backlogs in the future.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this situation. Our teams are committed to finding sustainable solutions and keeping you informed every step of the way.