Before the invention of shipping containers, the transportation of goods, whether by road, rail, or sea, was both extremely difficult and highly risky. The cargo would be exposed to bad weather, theft, destruction, and vandalism.
In 1956, Malcolm McLean, a highly successful American transport businessman, invented and patented the intermodal shipping container.
This invention brought about the containerization of goods and, hence, the removal of repeat cargo handling, reduced theft and damages, enhanced reliability, and a significant reduction of transport costs through minimizing delivery periods. Today, containerization is a leading contributor to globalization.
In Kenya, like in many other tech-savvy nations, container transport by rail, road, and sea is a major driver of the economy. Most of the freight containers move from Mombasa and Nairobi to locations all over East and Central Africa.
The containers being transported can be empty, fabricated (converted into accommodation structures), or loaded with goods. Most of the container fabricators, such as Premium Containers Limited, are found in Nairobi and deliver the completed units to clients all over the country and beyond.
In this article, we focus on the costs of transporting shipping containers from Nairobi to different parts of the country.
How Much Will I Pay to Transport My Container(s) in Kenya?
The table below provides a tentative summary of shipping container transportation prices from Nairobi to the various major towns and locations in Kenya.
| From Nairobi to; | 20Ft Delivery Costs (Kenya Shillings) | 40ft Delivery Costs (Kenya Shillings) |
| Within Nairobi | 15,000 – 25,000 | 30,000 – 40,000 |
| Nairobi’s Outskirts (Example Thika / Athi River / Ngong) | 20,000 – 30,000 | 40,000 – 50,000 |
| Kiambu / Karatina / Kajiado | 40,000 – 50,000 | 50,000 – 60,000 |
| Machakos / Kijabe / Makuyu | 50,000 – 60,000 | 70,000 – 80,000 |
| Embu / Naivasha / Nyeri | 60,000 – 70,000 | 70,000 – 90,000 |
| Nakuru / Kibwezi / Nanyuki | 70,000 – 80,000 | 90,000 – 110,000 |
| Eldoret / Isiolo / Kisii / Meru | 80,000 – 90000 | 100,000 – 120,000 |
| Kisumu / Kitale / Migori | 90,000 – 100,000 | 120,000 – 140,000 |
| Lodwar / Marsabit / Wajir | 100,000 – 120,000 | 170,000 – 240,000 |
The costs for the delivery of shipping containers in Kenya, as indicated in the table above, will be influenced by;
- Over-the-fence deliveries
- Delivery in steeply sloping spaces
- Cross-lake deliveries
What are the Processes Involved in Container Transportation?
There are three intricate processes for container delivery;
1. Loading
This process usually takes place at the point of collection.
It involves using crane equipment to lift the container unit from the ground onto the delivery truck.
Due to the heavy weight of the container, the lifting equipment must be powerful.
The lifting equipment is available in 25-ton and 50-ton categories.
In cases where the container is to be lifted from behind concrete walls, a fence, or more than 12 meters from the truck, heavier categories are required.
2. Transportation
Once loaded, the truck will ferry the unit to the intended location.
For purposes of convenience, the road must be in passable condition with enough space for the trucks to make turns.
The trucker must watch out for low-lying tree branches, electricity wiring, sharp bends, and steep slopes.
Some roads can be impassable for the trucks.
Also, it is worth noting that some roads can allow only smaller trucks ferrying 20ft containers to pass.
3. Offloading
Takes place at the destination and is the reverse process of container loading.
Here, the crane equipment lifts the container off the truck and places it carefully onto the base (could be concrete pillars or a concrete slab).
Much like in the case with loading, the offloading process can involve placing the unit behind a wall, a fence, or some distance from the truck.
In such cases, high-tonnage trucks are essential.
Premium Containers Can Help You Transport Your Shipping Container to Choice Locations Nationwide and Regionally
For over a decade, we have delivered shipping containers within Kenya and all over East and Central Africa. The charges for transportation of these units are listed on our table above. Should you require transport and logistics services, be sure to contact us using the numbers or email on our website.
Upon contacting us, you will be asked the type of container you need transported as well as the destination.
We believe that with our partnership, your needs will be met within the required timelines and specifications. You can be our next happy client!
Cheers!