Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is accelerating upgrades to the Mombasa port's crude oil export infrastructure in preparation for the nation's first oil shipments from Turkana's Ngamia 8 fields. The project, involving installation of modern equipment at the Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT), aims to resolve persistent storage and discharge bottlenecks that have caused delays for vessels.
A June 7, 2018, photo shows an employee of Tullow Oil breaking seals on the first crude oil consignment from Lokichar, Turkana, arriving at Mombasa's Changamwe KPRL storage facility. KPA Operation and Harbour Master General Manager Captain William Ruto confirmed engineers are working to complete the KOT revamp by August 2, with initial exports expected between August 11-15. "The new terminal is critical to avoid demurrage costs that inflate consumer prices," Ruto said.
Tullow Oil has transported over 60,000 barrels daily from Turkana to Mombasa since 2018, but vessel delays have persisted. The Motor Tanker Nissos Christiana, which arrived June 26, waited 16 days before unloading. Ruto noted additional ships like MT East Wind and MT Sti Gratitude remain queued. The company has warned that delayed exports risk undermining the project's viability amid global shifts toward renewable energy.
