Mombasa port congestion ahead of the fresh crop: how Q3 shipping bottlenecks stretch Kampala-to-port lead times

Mombasa port congestion ahead of the fresh crop: how Q3 shipping bottlenecks stretch Kampala-to-port lead times

Mombasa, the port through which nearly all Ugandan green coffee moves, is congested again heading into Q3 2026. The 7-day average vessel waiting time at the port stood at around 5.73 days in the week of June 17 to 23, 2026, up from about 3.78 days in late May, according to Kuehne+Nagel. For roasters and importers buying Ugandan coffee, that congestion adds days of uncertainty to the Kampala-to-port leg and to vessel schedules, just as Uganda's main crop harvest gets underway.

Uganda ships its coffee almost entirely through Mombasa, roughly 1,100 km from Kampala, a road leg that normally takes 2 to 3 days by truck, per Nonda Coffee. When the port backs up, that leg is only part of the story. Vessel waiting times at Mombasa have swung through Q2 and into Q3 2026. Kuehne+Nagel's weekly port updates put the 7-day average at about 5.0 days in mid-May, 3.78 days in late May, then 5.73 days in the week of June 17 to 23 and 5.33 days in the week of June 24 to 30. The June 23 update cited persistent terminal congestion, empty container imbalances, high yard utilisation, customs clearance delays, and truck shortages, along with road disruptions and flood-damaged infrastructure along key corridors affecting inland cargo flows.

The pressure is not new. In February 2026, more than 20 ships were reported waiting offshore, and Kenya's transport ministry met stakeholders to address the crisis, according to The Kenya Times. Kenya Ports Authority handled 45.46 million tons of cargo in 2025, up from 41 million tons in 2024.

The broader Q3 logistics picture compounds the port issue. Red Fox Coffee Merchants' Q3 2026 sourcing update, published July 1, 2026, notes that ocean freight rates rose rapidly over May and June to their highest levels of 2026, that some carriers are charging fuel surcharges of up to 44 percent, and that transit time unpredictability is up. The update does not address Mombasa specifically, but it frames the environment in which East African shipments are moving.

What this means for buyers

For buyers of Ugandan green coffee, the practical effect is a longer and less predictable window between contracting and arrival. A normal Kampala-to-Mombasa truck leg of 2 to 3 days can stretch when port congestion backs up inland corridors, and vessel waiting times of five-plus days push sailing dates out. That matters for inventory planning because Uganda's main Arabica crop runs roughly October to February, and buyers who want fresh-crop coffee on the water early need to build extra buffer into their schedules.

Uganda is Africa's largest coffee exporter by volume, shipping 8.4 million bags worth about US$2.4 billion in the 12 months to October 2025, per Nonda Coffee. The USDA projects MY 2026/27 production at 7.2 million bags and exports at 6.8 million bags. With that volume moving through a congested gateway, buyers should consider three things. First, build 5 to 7 extra days into delivery assumptions. Second, weigh FOB terms so the exporter manages the port leg and the berth risk. Third, communicate early with exporters about vessel cutoffs, since empty container availability and berth windows are tightening.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to ship green coffee from Kampala to Mombasa?
A: The road leg is roughly 1,100 km and normally takes 2 to 3 days by truck. Port congestion can add days on top of that when inland corridors back up.

Q: How congested is Mombasa port in Q3 2026?
A: The 7-day average vessel waiting time was about 5.73 days in the week of June 17 to 23, 2026, and 5.33 days in the week of June 24 to 30, per Kuehne+Nagel, up from about 3.78 days in late May.

Q: When is Uganda's main coffee crop?
A: Uganda's main Arabica crop runs roughly October to February, with the fly crop from April to August. Buyers targeting fresh-crop coffee should factor port congestion into early-season shipping plans.