The port of Mombasa processed 21.3 million metric tonnes of goods between January and June this year, compared to 19.7 million handled during the same period in 2024.
This represents a growth of 8.1 percent. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the operator, said it was determined to hit its target of 45 million tonnes by the end of the year.
KPA officials said the increased flow of cargo into the Mombasa port and expected calls by ships at the new Lamu port could boost its annual output.
In container traffic, KPA handled over one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) between January and June this year, compared to 948,983 TEUs handled in the same period last year. It marks a growth of 63,966 TEUs, or 6.7 percent.
Speaking at the Shimoni fish port, KPA managing director Captain William Ruto noted that both imports and exports saw significant growth of 48,793 TEUs, or 13.4 percent, and 50,5572 TEUs, or 14.5 percent.
He was flanked by KPA general managers Dr. Sudi Mwasinago, Mathias Amuti, Evalyine Chibule, and Bakari Gowa, among others.
According to Ruto, primary contributors to the growth were liquid bulk, dry bulk, and loose cargo, which increased by 766,763 metric tonnes, or 16.2 percent; 418,910 metric tonnes, or 11.6 percent; and 371,514 metric tonnes, or 44.7 percent, respectively.
“Against this backdrop and the impressive results attained, we are excited and optimistic about the promising performance that lies ahead,” said Ruto.
He attributed the impressive Mombasa port performance to the good working environment for port workers and the cooperation with port users.
Last year, the port of Mombasa received an increased cargo throughput, hitting 40.99 million metric tonnes compared to 35.98 million metric tonnes in 2023, representing 14 percent growth.
Container traffic also soared by 24 percent after KPA handled two million TEUs, up from 1.6 million TEUs registered in 2023.
Meanwhile, KPA expected Lamu port to register cargo growth following a plan by a shipping line to make three scheduled calls per week starting from next month.
According to Captain Ruto, one of the shipping lines at the port of Mombasa has agreed to make Lamu port its base and deploy three ships per week, making it have the presence of a ship every day.
“Starting in August of this year, Lamu Port will become busy because a shipping line has agreed to have its ships call three times a week,” said Ruto.
Lamu has been dedicated to handling transshipment cargo, but business has been slow.
Lamu port with three deep berths started operations in May 2021, but it has been having few ship calls because its hinterland road network has not been fully developed.
