Lamu Port sets record, accommodates longest ship to ever dock in East Africa

The Port of Lamu has strengthened its position in the regional shipping market after hosting the MV Nagoya Express, the longest vessel ever to dock in East African waters.

The 335-metre container ship, operated by German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, set a new record for size in Kenya’s maritime sector.

The vessel’s arrival is seen as a major boost for Lamu’s ambitions to become a key transhipment hub for global trade routes linking Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

During its call, the Nagoya Express loaded 140 transshipped containers destined for New York, cargo initially offloaded at Lamu by another Hapag-Lloyd vessel, the MV Tolten.

Port managers say such operations are part of a growing strategy to capture more of the high-value transhipment market, particularly for ultra-large vessels that Mombasa’s limited turning space cannot accommodate.

“This arrival proves Lamu was not built as an afterthought. It was built with vessels like the Nagoya Express in mind,” said Captain Abdulaziz Mzee, Lamu Port’s General Manager, noting the port’s deep-water berths and wide turning basin as critical assets.

Captain Sylwester Mackiewicz, the vessel’s master, praised the port’s handling capacity and smooth access, saying the experience exceeded expectations.

The Kenya Ports Authority has invested heavily in Lamu’s infrastructure, including high-capacity Ship-to-Shore gantry cranes, to attract more major shipping lines.

Industry analysts say the arrival of CMA CGM vessels next week will further cement the port’s role as a competitive alternative to Mombasa for regional and international cargo.

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