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Cargo boost: Lamu Port receives 60,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser destined for Ethiopia

The consignment of 60,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser being unloaded from Ethiopian vessel MV Abbay II at the Port of Lamu on May 11, 2024. (Photo: KPA)

By Lucy Mumbi | Sunday, May 12, 2024

This milestone signifies a significant advancement in the utilisation of the Port of Lamu by partner states, in line with the Lamu Ports South Sudan Ethiopia Corridor Project.

The Lamu Port on Saturday received 60,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser destined for Ethiopia aboard the Ethiopian vessel MV Abbay II.

Top Ethiopian government officials were on hand to receive the vessel led by Agriculture Minister Girma Amante, State Minister of the Ministry of Transport Dange Boru, and CEO of Ethiopia Shipping and Logistics Beniso Amelo.

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Other key figures present included Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto, Board Director Peter Omingo, and Lamu Acting County Commissioner Charles Kitheka, among others.

The maiden call by the bulk carrier on Saturday marked the inaugural cargo destined for the transit market through the Port of Lamu.

According to the Kenya Airports Authority, the shipment not only marked the vessel's first voyage to Lamu but also signified the inaugural cargo bound for the transit market through the strategic port.

KPA said the fertiliser consignment was the first of many cargo movements that will be witnessed in Lamu Port.

Upon arrival, the fertiliser cargo was unloaded and packaged at the quayside before the vessel embarked on the next journey.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and the Ethiopian delegation led by Agriculture Minister Girma Amante flag off the consignment of 60,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser from Ethiopian vessel MV Abbay II at the Port of Lamu on May 11, 2024. (Photo: KPA)

Transported by road through the corridor, the fertiliser is poised to make its way to Moyale town at the border, facilitating its onward delivery to Ethiopia.

"This ambitious initiative aims to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade between partner states," KPA said.

Port utilisation

The arrival of MV Abbay II underscores a significant leap forward in the utilisation of the Port of Lamu within the framework of the Lamu Ports South Sudan Ethiopia Corridor Project.

The significant development comes shortly after the acquisition of three state-of-the-art ship-to-shore Gantry cranes by the Kenya Ports Authority, poised to bolster operations at the port.

Speaking during the launch of the Sh4 billion three ultra-modern state-of-the-art cranes at Kililana Port, Captain Ruto stated that the three cranes would increase the port’s capacity to handle any shipment coming from the Middle East or China.

He acknowledged the move to bring in the ship-to-shore cranes as a milestone in ensuring the viability of the LAPSSET project and the Northern Corridor is realised.

“The national government is committed to ensuring the security of the LAPSSET corridor is achieved. Adequate personnel and resources have been disbursed to ensure investor confidence is maintained," he said.

He added that the Authority would also be importing four Rubber Tire Gantry Cranes that would further aid in ensuring the Lamu Port’s efficiency in handling transshipment business.