• Lamu Port has handled only 22 vessels since it began operations two years ago
• More vessels are now likely to dock, attracted by the reliable electronic equipment
Image: LABAN WALLOGA
Operations at the Port of Lamu are expected to improve after the arrival of three state-of-the-art Mobile Harbour Cranes from Germany, the Kenya Ports Authority management has said.
On Sunday, MV UHL Finesse docked at the Lamu Port with five electronic-powered HMCs; three for the Lamu Port and two destined for Mombasa Port.
The consignment cost KPA $27 million (about Sh3.8 billion), which is a significant investment.
The new cranes are designed specifically for the needs of Lamu Port, KPA said.
In a statement to newsrooms, KPA described the arrival of the three new cranes as a ‘historic moment’, adding they are expected to enhance the capabilities of the Lamu Port.
Captain Isac Tulula, a skilled KPA pilot, navigated the ship to successfully dock at Lamu Port's 400-metre Berth number 1.
Since the Lamu Port was launched on May 20, 2021, by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Lamu Port has been operating on only two hydraulic-powered Mobile Harbour Cranes (HMCs) that had been shipped from the Port of Mombasa.
“These new cranes are expected to provide more efficiency and reliability compared to the previous,” KPA said in a statement.
“Each crane has a lifting capacity of 100 tonnes, further expanding the port's capacity for handling larger cargo vessels.”
The introduction of these new cranes is a positive projection for Lamu Port, as it is anticipated that more vessels will be encouraged to call at the port, attracted by the reliable electronic equipment.
Lamu Port has handled only 22 vessels since it began operations two years ago.
This development marks a significant step forward in Lamu's journey to becoming a major maritime hub in the region, according to KPA managing director Captain William Ruto.
The investment in modern infrastructure and equipment showcases the commitment of KPA to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of its ports.
“The arrival of these HMCs at Lamu Port is a testament to the continuous growth and development of Kenya's maritime sector, opening up new opportunities for trade and economic prosperity,” Ruto said.
Last week, Ruto said four new Ship-to-Shore Gantry cranes are also expected in the country in July to replace the old ones that are being scrapped at the Mombasa Port.
The four gantries are more robust and powerful, with the capacity to lift two containers at once as opposed to the old single-lift cranes.
The arrival of the four new Ship to Shore Gantry Cranes in July will ensure the Port of Mombasa has more reliable equipment to enhance ship operations and further reduce ship turnaround time.
KPA cargo operations general manager Sudi Mwasinago said the deployment of new yard equipment has tremendously improved ship operations at the container terminals at the Port of Mombasa.
KPA acquired 12 Reach Stackers and nine empty container handlers in December 2022 and was commissioned to operations in January, boosting the yard and ship operations.
The completion of the second phase of the Second Container Terminal has also increased Mombasa Port capacity by an additional 450,000 20-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), giving room for better ship and yard planning to enhance efficiency.
The Port of Mombasa can currently handle 2.1 million TEUs.
Its annual container target this year is more than 1.48 million TEUs.
For the first five months of 2023, the Port of Mombasa handled 643,889 TEUs.
This is an increase by 48,570 TEUs or 8.2 per cent compared to last year’s 595,319 TEUs within the same period under review.
In the first five months of 2023, the Port of Mombasa had made a forecast to handle 620,719 TEUs. They surpassed the number by more than 23,000 TEUs.
“This performance has surpassed the set target by 23,170 TEUs or 3.7 per cent, implying that the Port of Mombasa is likely to realise an annual container traffic of 1.48 million TEUs by the close of the year,” Ruto said.
In May, the Port of Mombasa registered 141,936 TEUs to post a record of the highest ever container traffic performance in a month.
This is a growth of 19.5 per cent from the May 2022 performance of 118,765 TEUs.
Ruto, who was appointed to the helm of the parastatal on March 10, said the Port of Mombasa has recorded a positive trajectory in container traffic performance for the last three months.
In the months of March and April, they recorded 132,119 TEUs and 138,373 TEUs respectively.
“This compares favourably well with the performances of 112,245 TEUs and 121,249 TEUs handled in a corresponding period of last year, 2022,” he said.