MOMBASA: Major infrastructural advancements are enhancing the operational efficiency of Kenya’s key ports, notably Mombasa, Lamu, and Kisumu, driving significant growth in cargo throughput and container traffic. The Port of Mombasa has reported an impressive increase in cargo handling, processing 29.92 million tonnes from January to September 2024, a 12.1 percent rise from the previous year. This surge underscores the port’s resilience and its growing capacity to accommodate rising trade volumes.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Port of Mombasa also witnessed a substantial increase in container traffic, handling 1,461,736 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), marking a 22.7 percent growth compared to the same period in 2023. Transshipment traffic soared, recording a 162.8 percent increase. Imports and exports saw moderate growth, while transit cargo volumes improved significantly, with Uganda contributing notably to this upturn.
The Kenya Port Authority (KPA) attributes these improvements to several strat
egic initiatives, including the introduction of 24-hour service delivery, streamlined cargo clearing processes, and substantial investments in equipment upgrades, digitization, and human resources. KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto highlighted the ongoing Mombasa Port Development Project, which has expanded the port’s capacity significantly over its three phases.
Capt. Ruto also emphasized the role of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in enhancing service delivery, connecting KPA’s Inland Container Depots in Nairobi and Naivasha. The Shimoni Port is being developed to exploit the Blue Economy, with infrastructure supporting cold storage and processing facilities for export.
The Port of Kisumu, through its oil jetty, now facilitates the efficient transportation of petroleum products, reducing road congestion and carbon emissions. These infrastructure investments have also lowered business costs, enabling the port to handle three vessels weekly and transport 12 million liters of petroleum products via L
ake Victoria.
The Port of Lamu is positioned as a transshipment hub, complementing the Port of Mombasa, and can handle larger vessels due to its state-of-the-art equipment. It is poised to serve cargo destined for Ethiopia’s southern region and South Sudan.
Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association Executive Officer Wycliffe Wanda commended KPA for its efforts in enhancing port efficiency, noting improvements in container clearance and truck turnaround times, which have subsequently reduced business costs.