This archive report was first published on 8 July 2021.
On July 8, 2021, Kenya's National Treasury and Planning Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani reiterated the government's commitment to building and expanding ports and shipping facilities.
Speaking during the official reception of the container vessel CMA CGM Blue Whale at the Port of Mombasa, Chief Administrative Secretary Nelson Gaichuhie delivered a speech on behalf of the CS, highlighting the importance of collaboration with global shipping lines in the expansion of maritime transport.
The CS emphasized that the expanding ocean economy requires strong collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders, adding that the government remains dynamically responsive to sustaining initiatives for efficient operations and facilitation of trade.
"It is on this basis that we have continued making huge infrastructure investments in modernizing and expanding our ports which can accommodate the latest generation of large ships. Such developments also allow shipping companies like CMA CGM to transport their cargoes at reasonable costs," said the CS.
The cabinet secretary urged shipping lines to start bringing vessels at the new Lamu Port, citing its strategic location and capacity to handle huge vessels of over 10,000 TEUs.
Kenya Ports Authority Acting Managing Director John Mwangemi hailed the cordial relations between KPA and shipping line CMA-CGM, noting that the shipping line handled a total of 171,311 TEUs in and out of the Port of Mombasa in 2020, up from 120,810 TEUs.
France Ambassador to Kenya Aline Kuster-Menager lauded the efforts and big investments of the Kenya government towards the development of the Lamu Port.
Attendees at the event included Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Ms Nancy Karigithu, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Mr Charles Hinga, Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi, CMA-CGM Africa Vice President Ludovic Rozan, CMA-CGM Managing Director East Africa Jean-Baptiste Longin, and Vision 2030 Director General Ken Mwige.
