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Maersk Shippers in Kenya to Skip Container Deposits Under New Digital Financing Deal
New partnership with Viaservice aims to free up working capital for importers and improve cargo movement through the Port of Mombasa.
Shippers using Maersk in Kenya can now release shipping containers without paying refundable cash deposits upfront.
The change follows a new digital trade financing partnership between A.P. Moller–Maersk and Viaservice-Ke, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Viatrans SA.
The new arrangement targets a common challenge for importers and logistics businesses. Traditionally, shipping lines require customers to pay a deposit before releasing a container. Businesses receive the money back after returning the empty container.
However, the process can tie up valuable working capital for weeks or even months. The impact can be significant for companies that handle several containers at a time.
Digital financing frees up working capital
Under the new arrangement, eligible Maersk customers can use the Viaservice Container Solution (VCS) to release containers without paying a cash deposit.
Instead, Viaservice advances payments for eligible demurrage, damage and total-loss charges on behalf of customers. Customers then reimburse Viaservice under the agreed terms.
As a result, businesses can keep more cash available for daily operations. They can also use the funds for inventory, transport, suppliers and other business needs.
John Mathenge, Managing Director of Viaservice Limited, said the partnership expands access to digital financing across the logistics sector.
“Our partnership with Maersk marks an important milestone in expanding access to digital trade financing solutions and strengthening the logistics ecosystem in the region.”
He added that VCS can help businesses improve cash flow, optimise operations and move cargo more efficiently.
VCS brings financing into the logistics journey
Viaservice developed VCS to support freight forwarders and other logistics players with container-related financing.
Now, the company is extending the solution to Maersk customers in Kenya.
The move reflects a wider shift towards digital tools that combine logistics services with financial solutions.
For businesses, this can make it easier to manage the costs that arise during the movement and clearance of cargo.
Supporting Kenya’s regional trade hub
The partnership also comes as Kenya strengthens its role as a gateway to East African markets.
The Port of Mombasa handles cargo destined for Kenya and several landlocked countries in the region. Therefore, solutions that improve the movement of goods through the port can have an impact beyond Kenya.
Tito Okuku, Area Managing Director for Eastern Africa at Maersk, said businesses need solutions that address both logistics and working capital challenges.
“As Kenya continues to strengthen its position as a regional trade and logistics hub, our customers require solutions that support working capital management, reduce transaction bottlenecks, and facilitate seamless movement of goods.”
The new financing option could therefore help businesses manage liquidity while keeping their cargo moving through regional supply chains.
Partnership could benefit East African trade
The Kenyan rollout builds on an existing VCS partnership between Viaservice and Maersk in Tanzania.
Morgan Lépinoy, Managing Director of Viatrans SA, said the Kenyan market could extend the solution’s reach across regional trade corridors.
“Through the Port of Mombasa, a growing share of regional container flows can now benefit from a more efficient alternative to cash deposits.”
Mombasa serves as a key gateway for trade into East Africa. Consequently, reducing the capital tied up in container deposits could benefit businesses operating along these corridors.
The partnership also highlights the growing role of collaboration between shipping companies and digital financing providers.
Focus shifts to customer adoption
Maersk and Viaservice will also conduct customer education and stakeholder engagement activities.
The companies want businesses to understand how the VCS platform works and how they can use the financing solution.
In the longer term, the partners expect the initiative to support a more resilient and digitally enabled logistics sector.
For importers and logistics companies, the biggest benefit could be simpler working capital management.
By reducing the need for upfront container deposits, the partnership gives businesses another way to preserve liquidity while moving goods through Kenya’s increasingly important trade corridors.
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