Kenya Ports Authority unveils multi-billion-shilling infrastructure upgrade to boost capacity
Earlier in 2024, KPA procured new gantry cranes worth $31.5 million (Sh4.1 billion) as part of its efforts to strengthen its operations.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced a multi-billion-shilling upgrade of its facilities in 2025 to accommodate rising operations at the port of Mombasa.
This overhaul includes infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades, and the construction of new berths, all aimed at boosting the port's capacity to handle increased traffic in the coming years.
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In a statement, KPA Managing Director William Ruto revealed that the modernisation efforts would kick off with the upgrading of the terminal operating system (TOS) this month.
This is part of a broader plan to expand the port's capacity, which currently stands at 2.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year, according to data released for the third quarter of 2024.
New berth
Ruto announced that KPA had awarded a tender for the construction of Berth 19B, which will be able to handle an additional 300,000 TEUs.
"The authority has awarded a tender for the construction of Berth 19B, which has a design length of 240 meters and 300,000 TEU capacity," he said.
With a design length of 240 meters, the new berth will significantly enhance the port's efficiency and capacity.
KPA has started engaging the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the third phase of the Mombasa Port Development Project (MPDP), which includes the construction of Berth 23, set to feature a 300-meter design length and a capacity of 500,000 TEUs.
The port has also recently completed several key projects as part of its ongoing transformation.
Notably, a Sh500 million modern tug jetty has been constructed at the marine dockyard, a crucial infrastructure development for improving port operations.
Other high-profile projects under the MPDP include phase two of the second container terminal, which costs Sh32 billion, the Sh40 billion Kipevu Oil Terminal, and the Sh1 billion Cruise Ship Terminal.
These initiatives are expected to position Mombasa as the most efficient and modern port in East Africa.
Kipevu road
KPA has also constructed a Sh2 billion, 1.2-kilometre, six-lane Kipevu road to expedite the evacuation of sea cargo from the port, further enhancing operational efficiency.
The authority is also bolstering its equipment.
Earlier in 2024, KPA procured new gantry cranes worth $31.5 million (Sh4.1 billion) as part of its efforts to strengthen its operations.
The upgrades come as the port of Mombasa has been experiencing significant growth in its operations.
In May 2024, the port set a new record by handling more than 176,000 TEUs.
Ruto explained that the port's recent success can be attributed to increasing vessel calls.
During the festive season, Mombasa was scheduled to handle 41 vessels over 14 days, with this number expected to rise.
This surge in operations is linked to the addition of six feeder vessels that connect regional ports to global shipping networks.
The government's multi-billion-shilling infrastructure investments are positioning the port of Mombasa as a key player in the region's economic development, with KPA remaining confident that the upgrades will help the port maintain its competitive edge against rival ports, including Dar-es-Salaam.
