A.P. Moller – Maersk has partnered with trade facilitation fintech Viaservice-Ke to eliminate upfront refundable container deposits for shippers operating in Kenya.

Through the new agreement, Maersk customers will gain access to the Viaservice Container Solution (VCS), a digital financing platform developed by Viaservice-Ke, a subsidiary of Swiss-based Viatrans SA. Instead of paying cash upfront, shippers can release containers deposit-free, while Viaservice covers demurrage, damage, and total-loss charges on a reimbursement basis on the customer’s behalf.
The initiative aims to address operational bottlenecks along the Northern Corridor, anchored by the Port of Mombasa, which serves as a primary trade gateway for landlocked nations across East Africa including Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
“At Viaservice, we are committed to providing innovative digital and financial solutions that facilitate trade and support the growth of businesses operating in fast-growing economies,” said John Mathenge, Managing Director of Viaservice Limited. “Through this collaboration, we are extending these benefits to a wider customer base, enabling businesses to improve cash flow, optimize operations, and move cargo more efficiently.”
The Kenya deployment follows a successful rollout of the VCS platform in Tanzania, signaling a broader regional shift toward digital trade financing.
“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,” said Tito Okuku, Maersk’s Area Managing Director for Eastern Africa.
Morgan Lépinoy, Managing Director of Viatrans SA, emphasized the cross-border implications of the agreement: “Welcoming Maersk onto the VCS platform in Kenya marks an important expansion of a partnership already successfully established in Tanzania… As a critical gateway for trade corridors serving landlocked markets across East Africa, Mombasa plays a central role in regional commerce. By reducing capital tied up in container deposits, VCS helps businesses preserve liquidity [and] improve operational efficiency.”
Beyond platform integration, Maersk and Viaservice plan to roll out joint customer education and stakeholder outreach initiatives across the region to drive adoption among freight forwarders and logistics stakeholders.