Transport 4

containers are designed in a way appropriate to transport goods by ships,train, lorry or by air. To safeguard the goods against risks such as theft and unfavorable weather conditions the containers are sealed immediately after
goods have been packed.

The sealed containers are then transported up to the final destination where they are off-loaded. The consignee can then break the
seal.

Goods can be transported in containers as Full Container Load (F.C.L) or as Less Container Load (L.C.L).Full container load applies where the container is filled with goods belonging to one person. In FCL, goods are delivered to
the consignee intact. On the other hand, less than container load applies
where a container is filled with goods belonging to several consignors.

This may be the case where a single consigner does not have enough goods to fill a
container. When such a container reaches the destination, it is opened and the various consignees take their goods.


There are special handling facilities for loading and offloading containers onto and from the units of carriage.

Apart from the container depot at Mombasa, Kenya Ports Authority (K.P.A) has established inland container depots referred dry ports. An example of a dry port is found at Embakasi in Nairobi.

The establishment of dry ports aims at relieving congestion at the sea port.

It also aims at making handling of cargo easier and efficient for inland importers and exporters.

When containers are off loaded from ships at Mombasa, they are loaded into special container trains called railtainer which transports them by railway to the inland container depot at Embakasi.

Containers can also be transported by
specially designed trucks between the ports or from the port to consumer’s destination.


Advantages of containerization

- Minimizes the risks of loss or damage of goods as containers are sealed at source

- Containers are lifted with devices which make movement and handling easy

- Saves time and labour in loading and off-loading due to use of machines

- Containers sealed at source in presence of customs officials may not be opened until they reach their final destination. This reduces delay.

- Special containers are available for goods requiring special attention like chemicals.

- Insurance costs are relatively low as risks are less

- Space is saved when containers are used as opposed to when individual items are packed in the carrier.

- Can carry large quantities of cargo if packed well.

- Containers are tough structure, which offer protection to sensitive and fragile goods.

Disadvantages of containerization

- They are expensive and this increases the cost of transporting goods

- Contributes to unemployment since it is capital intensive

- Not suitable for transporting small quantities of goods.

- Requires special handling equipment which may be expensive

- May not be suitable for goods with irregular shapes.

- Training labour force is long and expensive.

- They may be used to smuggle illegal goods.

- The large trucks used on the road increase road damage and may increase accidents.

Factors that influence the choice of appropriate means of transport

i. Cost; The cost of transporting a good should be reasonable; except where other factors should be considered such as need for quick delivery.

Otherwise should be proportional to the value of goods transported.

ii. Nature of goods; The nature of goods should be considered when choosing a means of transport. For example, perishable goods require a fast means.

Similarly, heavy and bulky goods require a means of transport convenient forsuch goods e.g. trains and ship.

iii. Reliability; The means chosen should be able to deliver the goods to the required place at the right time and in the right form.

iv. Urgency; For goods that are urgently required, the fastest means available should be chosen.

v. Safety and Security: The means chosen should ensure that the goods on transit are secure against loss, theft or physical damages.

vi.Distance; Some means of transport are suitable for long distances while others are suitable for short distances. If goods are to be transported for long distances, air, sea or railway transport would be appropriate, otherwise roads would be suitable for short distances.

vii.Availability of means; The means of transport to be selected should be based on its availability.

For example, where there is only one means of transport, it would be the only one to be chosen.

viii.Flexibility; This is the ability of means of transport to

be manipulated to suit the convenience of the transporter.

Where flexibility is required, then the
means that would provide such should be chosen. For example a matatu is usually more flexible than an aeroplane.

ix.Terminals; Some means of transport may have their terminals near the transporter than others.

In this case, the transporter should choose the means whose terminals are conveniently accessible to facilitate loading and offloading of goods.

x.Value of goods to be transported - goods of high value require special handling and high security during transportation.

Trends in transport

• Pipeline and containerization

• Electric trains are replacing diesel engines

• Underground tunnels for trains are being used to ease congestion on the surface

• Dual-carriage roads are being developed in various parts to ease congestion and minimize accidents

• Development of planes with larger carrying capacity and speed is a major feature in the transport industry

• Use of bicycles commonly known as boda boda are a common feature in towns, bus terminals and rural areas, supplementing other means of transport to ferry people and cargo to their destinations.

The bicycles are being modified to make them more convenient.

It is not unusual to find a bicycle (boda boda) which has been fitted with facilities such as:

Motors to increase their speed and reduce energy applied by the cyclist.

Music systems to entertain passengers and More comfortable seats.
Motor cycles are also being used as bodabodas in various areas. Similarly, the three wheeled vehicles commonly known as ‘Tuk Tuk’ is a major feature in cities and most towns.

• Private personal vehicles with less carrying capacity e.g. four-seater vehicles are being used as matatus. The vehicles are convenient to the passengers as they:

Fill up within a shorter time compared to larger vehicles

May accommodate each of the customers interests.

Passenger vehicles are being fitted with radios, music systems and videos to entertain customers as they travel. However, some forms of
entertainment may not be conducive to all.

Revision Questions on Transport
Kcse Past Paper 1

1. 1996 State four circumstances under which a businessman would choose to transport goods by air? (4mks).

2. 1997 Outline four reasons why a school in Kisumu may prefer to transport its sixty students to a music festival in Nairobi by train rather than by bus.(4mks).

3. 1999 Give five reasons why a manufacturing firm would be located in an area well served by good road network.(4mks).

4. 1999 Outline four limitations of containerization. (4mks).

5. 2000State four reasons why road transport is popular in Kenya.(4mks).

6. 2001 State four ways in which the nature of goods would influence the choice of transport.

7. 2002 Outline four reasons why a transporter of goods from Mombasa to Nairobi may prefer rail transport to road transport. (4mks).

8. 2003 State the unit of carriage for each of the following modes of transport. (5mks)

Mode of transport Units of carriage

i. Portage

ii. Sea

iii. Road

iv. Cartage

v. Air

9. 2004 list four ways in which transport promotes growth of trade. (4mks)

10. 2000 State four reasons why road transport is popular in Kenya.(4mks)

11. 1995 Give 3 disadvantages of railway transport in Kenya.(4mks)


12. 1998 List 4 disadvantages of using containers to transport goods.(4mks)

Kcse Past Questions Paper 2

1. 1995Explain five reasons that may account for continued use of hand carts as a mode of transport in Kenya. (12mks)

2. 1996 The oil pipeline has recently been extended from Nairobi to western Kenya.

3. Explain five benefits that may be accounted to the country from the extension. (10mks).

4. 1997 Explain five ways in which an efficient road transport system may promote trade within a country.(10mks).

5. 1998 Discuss five factors that have hindered the expansion of railway transport in Kenya.

6. 1999 Explain five features of an efficient transport system (8mks).

7. 2000 Explain the advantages of pipeline as a mode of transporting oil products. (12mks).

8. 2002 Outline five factors that should be considered when choosing a means of transport.

9. 2003 Explain six advantages of containerization as a mode of transport.(10mks)

10. 2004 Discuss six factors that may discourage the use of pipeline as a means of transporting petroleum products in a country.(12mks).

11. 2005 Discuss 5 circumstances under which a trader may choose to transport goods by rail.

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