Lamu Port receives first-ever bulk cargo ship, MV African Swan

The Lamu Port has received its first-ever bulk cargo ship MV African Swan since its operationalization three years ago.

The vessel from Djibouti arrived at the Lamu Port in Kililana, Lamu West on Wednesday, bringing the total number of ships so far having docked at the facility to 44.

MV African Swan shipped food donations from the United States of America, a consignment that is handled by the World Food Programme (WFP).

The foodstuff, including 64,599 bags of yellow split peas and 80,000 bags of sorghum both of which translates to a total weight of 7,246 kilograms,  targets Kenyans affected by drought in the counties of Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.

It will also go to refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps.

Addressing journalists at the Port site in Kililana, Lamu West shortly after receiving the vessel, Lamu Port General Manager, Vincent Sidai expressed happiness with the operations and general progress at the facility.

Sidai reiterated that being the 44th vessel to call in at the Lamu port three years after its inception, is a clear indication that the facility’s initial expectations are being met.

He termed the arrival of the bulk cargo carrier MV African Swan at Lamu Port as a new dawn to the facility's operations bearing in mind that tens of smaller vessels have also been making frequent trips at the port.

He cited the recent purchase of Harbour Mobile Cranes (HMCs) by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) as a move that has generally improved the efficiency and capacity of operations at the Lamu Port.

The state-of-the-art cranes were all manufactured in Germany and were dispatched at the Lamu Port in June this year aboard the MV United Heavy Lift-UHL Finesse.

All the cranes have a lifting capacity of 100 tonnes, a specification that has enabled the port’s capability to handle larger cargo vessels like the MV African Swan.

“We are happy to receive a bulk cargo carrier vessel MV African Swan. It’s from Djibouti. It has foodstuff donations, including sorghum and yellow split peas. This particular vessel is the 44th to dock at Lamu Port," said Sidai.

"I appreciate those involved in bringing the ship here for believing in the Lamu Port. We expect more vessels to call in here very soon.”

Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor Manager in charge of Coast Region, Salim Bunu said having 44 vessels that have already docked at Lamu Port so far marks a significant step forward in Lamu’s journey to become a major maritime hub in the region.

The Sh310 billion Lamu Port was operationalized by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on May 20, 2021, in an event that saw the first ship MV CAP Carmel from Singapore making a maiden docking at the first three berths in Kililana.

Bunu termed the Lamu Port as a major transhipment facility that is expected to serve different countries in the East and Horn of Africa.

He said Lamu is one of the flagship infrastructure projects under Kenya’s Vision 2030.

“Lamu is a crucial transport corridor that links a new and modern Port of Lamu with Garissa, Isiolo, Maralal, Lodwar, and Lokichogio," said Bunu.

"There is also a branch at Isiolo to Moyale at the border with Ethiopia and proceeding to the border with South Sudan. We’re optimistic that Lamu Port is headed in the right direction.” 

Lamu County Commissioner Louis Rono on his part assured all the port users of optimum security.

“I want to assure transporters, be it drivers and the rest and even the general public that Lamu is well secured. Let investors come to invest in Lamu. It’s all peaceful here,” said Rono.

Apart from MV African Swan, other ships that have so far docked at the Lamu Port include MV CAP Carmel, MV Seago Bremerhaven, MV Amu 1, MV Spirit of Dubai, MV Seago Piraeus, MV Seago Istanbul, Ionian Express, Zuhra II, MV Songa Cougar, MV Banyas 1, MV UHL Finesse, and MV Boston Trader.