This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
Published on October 2, 2019, the Kenya Ports Authority reported a 9.9% growth in revenue between January and August compared to the same period last year.
The increase was largely due to the automation of container handling processes and improvements in documentation and clearance processes at the Mombasa Container Terminal Two (CT2).
CT2's special transshipment berth, built at a cost of Ksh27 billion ($270 million), has been a key contributor to the port's efficiency gains.
During the eight months to August, the port of Mombasa handled 22.8 million tonnes, a significant increase from 20.7 million tonnes in 2018. Transshipment also saw a substantial rise, increasing by more than 131.9% from 698,705 last year to 1,619,960 this year.
On cumulative container traffic, the port recorded a 9.5% increase in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the period of July-August 2019/20 compared to the same period in 2018/19, with transshipment traffic accounting for the majority of this growth.
According to Edward Opiyo, head of container operations, the increase in transshipment cargo is expected to boost earnings, particularly with the completion of the second phase of the CT2 project.
“Increasing transshipment cargo will reflect positively in our profits, and the CT2 where we have Berth 21 has greatly contributed to this. The completion of the second phase will increase transshipment cargo even more,” said Mr Opiyo.
Containerised cargo and liquid bulk also recorded significant growth, increasing by 23.5% and 11.2% respectively.
Uganda remained the port's biggest client, accounting for more than 4.66 million tonnes of goods imported in the seven months to July this year, while goods destined to the Democratic Republic of Congo rose by 19.3% from 269,000 tonnes last year to 321,000 tonnes this year.
