Kenya’s Port of Mombasa Sees 13.9% Cargo Growth.
The main port reports an increase in cargo handling from January to October.
On November 14th, Kenya’s main seaport, the Port of Mombasa, reported handling 33.78 million tonnes of cargo in the first 10 months of 2024, reflecting a 13.9% increase from 29.66 million tonnes during the same period in 2023.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has attributed the 13.9% increase in cargo handling to substantial growth in key categories. Containerized cargo saw a significant rise of 21.1%, reaching 3.12 million tonnes, reflecting stronger demand for goods transported in containers. The liquid bulk sector also experienced a 9.0% increase, totaling 697,648 tonnes. This growth highlights the increasing importance of containerized and liquid bulk cargo in the port’s overall performance. The Port of Mombasa plays a crucial role in supporting regional trade and economic activity
“Current projections for the end of 2024 indicate that the Port of Mombasa will handle approximately 40.535 million tonnes in cargo throughput, 480,241 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in transshipment traffic, and 13.416 million tonnes in transit traffic,” the KPA said in a statement issued in Mombasa.
According to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), imports and exports at the Port of Mombasa recorded moderate growth, with imports rising by 31,915 TEUs, or 5.4%, and exports increasing by 30,923 TEUs, up by 5.4%. This positive trend reflects a steady demand for goods moving through the port. KPA Managing Director William Kipkemboi Ruto highlighted that the expansion of vital sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and construction largely drives the growth in cargo throughput. These industries rely on the Port of Mombasa for the timely and efficient movement of goods, whether importing raw materials or exporting finished products. The efficiency of the port has become a critical factor in supporting the supply chains of these growing sectors, which in turn contributes to the region’s broader economic development. As these sectors continue to thrive, the demand for port services is expected to rise, further boosting the port’s cargo handling capacity.
“This transformation attracted direct calls from larger vessels, reducing reliance on feeder networks and making Mombasa a key port for global shipping lines,” Ruto said.
He further noted that several global trends have also favoured Mombasa, particularly the shift toward larger vessels offering economies of scale. This trend is prompting ports worldwide, including Mombasa, to adapt and enhance their infrastructure to accommodate these larger ships and meet the growing demands of international trade.
“To meet the demands of East African trade, the KPA initiated major upgrades, notably deepening the harbor in 2013 to accommodate ships with up to 10,000 TEUs,” Ruto said.
TEU, or Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, is a standard measurement used in shipping to describe the capacity of container ships or ports.
