The Port of Mombasa has defied a global economic crunch to post improved performance over the last one year.
Cargo throughput at the port grew by an impressive 6.2 per cent reaching 35.98 metric tonnes.
The growth is attributed to a substantial increase in containerised cargo, which registered a remarkable 14.8 per cent rise, accounting for more than half of the cargo handled at the port.
Kenya Ports Authority managing director William Ruto said the agency also registered a double digit growth of 11.9 per cent in container traffic, reaching a total of 1.62 million twenty-foot units.
This, he said, reflected the port's efficiency and economic resilience in the region, driving demand for imports and exports.
He attributed the growth to improved vessel turnaround times, container vessel productivity and truck turnaround times which have shown marked improvement.
KPA, he said, will continue to improve operational efficiency through capacity expansion and modernisation efforts to meet the growing demand for trade.
This, he said, will ensure the port 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.
In a speech read on his behalf by KPA general manager for corporate services Edward Kamau during a golf tournament in Kisumu, Ruto said the transit market segment has also grown by 11.5 per cent.
While Uganda remained the primary transit country, KPA, he said, has recorded significant growth in volumes for South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Kisumu port, which has been revived, he said, has also improved significantly, posting a 119 per cent growth.
He said the facility handled 1276,745 metric tonnes in 2023 up from 58, 290 metric tonnes in 2022.
To maximise operations at the facility, the KPA boss said they were revitalising piers and other small ports in the lake region.
Construction of the Homa Bay pier, he said, was ongoing with others slated to begin later in the year.
David Odhiambo of the Nyanza Golf Club was crowned the winner of the tournament after garnering 41 points, playing off a handicap of 25.
