-While Port of Kisumu is quickly becoming a key transit hub for cargo transportation across Lake Victoria.
-And KPA’s strides in engineering and sustainable development have been lauded at the ongoing 6th Engineering Partnership Convention in Nairobi.
KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY.
The Port of Lamu marked another milestone in its growing profile as a regional transshipment hub after the container vessel MV Zhong Gu Ri Zhao docked at the port early on Thursday morning in Lamu County.
The vessel making its inaugural call arrived carrying 415 TEUs of transshipment cargo destined for port of Dar es Salaam.
MV Zhong Gu Ri Zhao departed from Nhava Sheva port India, journeyed through Mundra Port, Jebel Ali, and Mombasa before reaching the Port of Lamu.
The vessel which boasts a length overall (LOA) of 179.99 meters and a total capacity of 2,518 TEUs, is expected to make regular calls to the port of Lamu, further underscoring the increasing strategic importance of the port in East Africa’s maritime logistics.
During a welcoming ceremony, Lamu Port Manager Ms. Mary Wangai described the new development as a positive sign for local businesses and expressed her optimism about the port’s growing role in handling transshipment cargo.
She noted that the arrival of the MV Zhong Gu Ri Zhao showcases that global shipping lines are beginning to see Lamu as a viable option for regional trade and also extended her gratitude to SeaLed shipping line encouraging them to continue using the port.
At a brief ceremony held onboard to commemorate the ship’s maiden visit, attended by port representatives and Maggelan Logistics shipping agents, Ms. Mary Wangai presented the captain with a certificate of first call and a commemorative plaque.
The port of Lamu is part of Kenya’s LAPSSET Corridor project and is intended to complement the Port of Mombasa by providing a strategic link to Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the broader East African market.
While in Kisumu, the Port of Kisumu is quickly becoming a key transit hub for cargo transportation across Lake Victoria.
Over the weekend, MV Orion II docked at the port to load 600 metric tons of ceramics destined for export to Port Bell in Uganda.
Meanwhile, the port continues to register a remarkable increase in ship traffic and cargo volumes, marking a significant shift in the regional trade landscape and connectivity.
Last year, the port handled an impressive 280,381MT of cargo, a striking improvement from the 116,578 MT registered in 2023.
So far this year alone, the port has processed 109,839 MT, with 67 vessel calls recorded, further highlighting the growing economic importance of Kisumu port in the region.
Exports are now on the rise, with gas oil accounting for 58%, followed by ceramic tiles at 23%, construction materials and steel billets at 13%, and bagged fertilizers making up 6%.
These goods are regularly shipped to destinations including Jinja and Port Bell in Uganda as well as Mwanza in Tanzania.
The number of vessels visiting the port has increased to seven including Orion III, Uhuru II, MT Elgon, MT Kabaka Mutebi III, MV Munanka, Mango Tree, and MV Noris.
Notably, MV Orion II famous for handling ceramic makes a stop at the port after every two weeks.
The impressive growth of the port can be attributed to several factors ranging from the revitalization and modernization efforts, berths upgrading and the Kisumu/Nairobi MGR line railway links, all aimed at boosting operational efficiency and streamlining cargo movement.
With ongoing infrastructure projects including construction of the storage facilities, a passenger terminal, and modern cargo handling equipment, are set to increase Kisumu Port’s capacity for future growth.
According to Kisumu port Manager Cargo Services Operations Patrick Makau, the port anticipates more improvements in safety and efficiency while focusing on modernization, better regional transport integration, and embracing smart port technologies.
And in Nairobi, The Authority’s strides in engineering and sustainable development have been lauded at the recent 6th Engineering Partnership Convention held at the Capital City.
Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui and his Environment and Climate Change Counterpart Dr. Festus Ng’eno upon visiting the KPA stand, expressed admiration for the Authority’s strategic projects notably the Shimoni Fish Port.
The pioneer facility aims to unlock the potential of Kenya’s blue economy by serving as the country’s first large scale fishing port, facilitating exports and value addition in the maritime sector.
They commended KPA’s dedication to environmental sustainability through the Green Port Policy noting such initiatives are crucial for aligning port operations with national climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The officials also acknowledged the transformative impact of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zones (SEZ) project and noted that the SEZ will enhance agro-processing, promote rural and regional industrialization while fostering innovation and technological advancement across the country.
The convention has attracted engineers, researchers and industry leaders from around the world, providing a dynamic platform for sharing emerging trends, innovative research and practical applications to shape the future of engineering.
ENDS.
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