The Port of Mombasa recorded improved performance in the past year despite the global economic crisis, management has said.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director William Ruto said cargo throughput at the port grew by 6.2 per cent reaching 35.98 million metric tonnes.
Ruto attributed the growth to a substantial increase in containerised cargo, which registered a 14.8 per cent rise, accounting for over half of the cargo handled at the port.
He pointed out that despite global uncertainties and challenges the East African Community (EAC) region has shown resilience, with domestic economic growth also increasing to five per cent.
“At the Port of Mombasa, we have weathered these challenges admirably,” Ruto said.
The container traffic surged, registering a double-digit growth of 11.9 per cent and reaching a total of 1.62 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
“This reflected the port’s efficiency and economic resilience in the region driving demand for imports and exports,” Ruto said in a speech read on his behalf by KPA general manager for corporate services, Edward Kamau, during a golf tournament in Kisumu.
The growth follows the improved vessel turnaround times, container vessel productivity, and truck turnaround times which have shown marked improvement.
The authority will continue to improve operational efficiency through capacity expansion and modernisation efforts to meet the growing demand for trade, management affirmed.
Ruto said efficiency will ensure the Port of Mombasa is well-positioned to maintain its status as a key player in the global trade landscape.
“As we move forward, we remain committed to enhancing trade facilitation and economic development in Kenya and the broader East Africa region,” he said.
Ruto noted that the investments at Kisumu Port have seen significantly improved performance by 119 per cent. The port has so far handled 127,745 metric tonnes in 2023 up from 58,290 metric tonnes in 2022.
“Our transit market segment also experienced notable growth, increasing by 11.5 per cent in 2023,” he said.
Ruto said while Uganda remained the primary transit country, KPA has seen significant growth in volumes for South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This, he said, underscores the authority's role as a crucial conduit for trade facilitation in the region.
The MD said the authority was committed to revitalising piers and other small ports in the lake region, to maximise operations at the facility.
He noted the ongoing construction of the Homa Bay pier among others, which will be started later in the year.
