This archive report was first published on 22 November 2021.
Published on November 22, 2021, the Mombasa Port has demonstrated resilience in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite a marginal decline of 0.9% in cargo volumes in 2020, the port has seen a significant increase in cargo handled during the January-September 2021 period.
According to acting Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director John Mwangemi, the port handled 26.17 million tonnes during this period, a 4.4% increase from the 25.05 million tonnes handled in the corresponding period in 2020. Container traffic also saw a notable increase, with 1.1 million TEUs handled in the same period, a 9.3% increase from the 1 million TEUs handled in 2020.
Notably, the construction of the second container terminal (CT2) Phase II is on course, with Phase I operational since 2016 and Phase II expected to be ready by mid-2022. This will increase the port's container capacity from 1.65 million TEUs to 2.2 million TEUs.
Additionally, the port is progressing with the construction of a new oil terminal, the Kipevu Oil Terminal, which will have facilities for offloading crude oil, refined petroleum, and liquified petroleum gas (LPG). The terminal is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will have four berths capable of berthing four vessels of up to 200,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT).
The Port of Lamu, whose first berth came into operation on May 20, 2021, has also made significant progress, with the first three berths and yard complete. The port has received nine vessels and plans are underway to procure additional equipment to ensure efficient delivery of services.
Efficient cargo evacuation from the port has remained a priority, with the completion of the Kipevu road from Changamwe roundabout to Port's Gate 18. This road will improve the flow of traffic into and out of the port.
