Regional trade boost: Annual cargo volume handled at Mombasa Port up 6.2pc

In a significant boost to regional trade, the Port of Mombasa showcased remarkable performance across key sectors, with a 6.2 per cent annual cargo throughput surge reported from 2022 to 2023, reaching 35.98 million tonnes, according to the KPA Annual Review and Bulletin of Statistics.

The Kenya Port Authority Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, unveiled the numbers during the launch of the KPA Annual Review and Bulletin of Statistics on Monday, highlighting the port's pivotal role in driving economic growth.

“Our total cargo throughput increased by 6.2 per cent reaching a substantial 35.98 million tonnes compared to the previous year's 33.88 million tonnes,” he said.

Cargo throughput means the volume of cargo handled at the port terminal in the period of one financial year.

Captain Ruto went on to emphasise the significance of container traffic, revealing an impressive 11.9 per cent growth with 1.62 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled in 2023.

"Containerised cargo continues to play a pivotal role, accounting for over 50 per cent of our total throughput," he added, acknowledging the vital role it played in the port's success.

But the port's success wasn't confined to Mombasa alone.

Notably, the Port of Lamu and Kisumu Port also witnessed substantial growth, indicating a broader regional expansion.

KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto during the launch of the KPA Annual Review and Bulletin of Statistics on March 25, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

"The Port of Lamu saw a tremendous increase in throughput handling a total cargo of 37,576 MT in 2023 against 6,539 MT realised in 2022, while Kisumu Port experienced a remarkable 119 per cent improvement, reflecting the growing regional economies and our commitment to serving them," Captain Ruto said.

A noteworthy aspect of this growth trajectory was the surge in transit traffic, which saw a robust 11.5 per cent increase, reaching 11.41 million tons in 2023.

According to the statistics, countries like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo also recorded exceptional growth rates, further underscoring Mombasa Port's significance as a regional trade hub.

"Our strategic location continues to make us a preferred gateway for transit cargo," he noted

According to KPA, the reduced ship waiting times, enhanced clearance processes, and improved turnaround times contributed to Mombasa's increased competitiveness.

With container vessel turnaround time dropping to two days and container dwell time decreasing by 10 per cent to 3.5 days.

Ship waiting time for containerised vessels was reduced to an impressive 0.2 days, while the gross vessel turnaround time witnessed a substantial decline, reflecting the port's commitment to operational excellence.

The influx of transit cargo, particularly from landlocked countries redirecting to Mombasa due to expedited clearance processes, underscores the port's pivotal role in facilitating regional trade, KPA stated.