Rationale of Shippers Council
Trade logistics in the global economy is critical for countries to harness global trade and reap the benefits of globalization. With increasing globalization of economic activity and rapid development of ICT, businesses are seeking to develop and organize strategic, efficient and world-wide production and distribution networks. With expanded supply chains and global production networks, new focus is now being placed on moving goods in a predictable, timely and cost effective way.

In this highly competitive world, the quality of logistics can have a major bearing on a firm’s location decision, choice of suppliers and that of consumer markets. High logistics costs and low levels of service provision are a characteristic of the East African region and Africa at large. This scenario is a barrier to trade within the region and has inhibited foreign direct investment and subsequently economic growth.

For Kenya to achieve and sustain high growth rates over the next decade, she will need to address a number of issues related to logistics and trade facilitation to reach international standards and to meet the demands of a growing and increasingly integrated East African Community. The establishment of the East Africa Common Market has the potential to unlock and spur economic growth in the region which demands for an effective, efficient and world class trade facilitation regime.

Eastern Africa products remain uncompetitive as a result of delays caused by lengthy documentation procedures, port congestion, poor road and rail infrastructure among others.

Kenya Shippers Council: The Voice of Cargo Owners

The Kenya Shippers’ Council (KSC) is a private sector membership organization that acts as focal point in advocating for the interests of cargo owners in the region, on policy and operational issues in transport and logistics
The Kenya Shippers Council was established on November 2004 by leading business organizations including the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), East Africa Tea Trade Association (EATTA), East Africa Cement Producers Association (EACPA), Kenya Coffee Traders Association, (KCTA), and the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA). This was out of the need to address three key areas that characterized Trade Facilitation in Kenya and the region:-

• High and uncompetitive transport and logistics costs despite the global demands for rapid and timely delivery of goods,

• The lack of a unified voice of the shippers and the enormous gains that can be achieved

• Recognition that trade liberalization and regional integration can only be realized if trade facilitation logistics and related challenges are effectively addressed.

It is against this background that the Kenya Shippers Council was formed.

Strategic Objectives:

1. Advocate for appropriate policies, regulations and administrative frameworks that facilitate competitive logistics in Eastern Africa.
2. Become a knowledge powerhouse on transport and logistics by undertaking research that informs advocacy.
3. Ensure KSC members enjoy efficient and competitive services for all modes of cargo movementDevelop a strong membership base that  affirms KSC as the preferred organization through which cargo owners, regulatory authorities and service providers engage in the EAC region
4. Develop appropriate institutional capacities to ensure  the sustainability of the KSC

Vision
Achieve logistical Competitiveness of Eastern Africa Cargo Owners

Mission
Offering proficient, research based advocacy and value-add advice to cargo owners.

Core values

• Efficiency
• Responsiveness
• Integrity
• Quality
• Innovation