Two ships make maiden calls at Kenyan ports, boosting transhipment prospects

Container ship Amu Jameel which made its first call at the port of Mombasa on January 20, 2025. (Photo: Lamu Shipping Limited)

By Farhiya Hussein
Thursday, January 23, 2025

Amu Jameel will serve the East African coast, connecting ports from Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden to Maputo, Mozambique.

The port of Mombasa has welcomed container ship Amu Jameel on its inaugural voyage, marking a key milestone in the region’s transhipment trade.

Operated by Lamu Shipping Limited, the vessel is set to offload 587 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and load 567 TEUs for onward transport to Zanzibar.

More To Read

Amu Jameel will serve the East African coast, connecting ports from Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden to Maputo, Mozambique. Stops include the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba, Mayotte, and Comoros, expanding the regional trade network.

Speaking during the vessel’s reception, Lamu Shipping Limited CEO Twalib Khamis expressed optimism about the ship’s addition to their fleet, which includes the Amu 1 and Amu 2.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari presented a commemorative plaque to Lamu Shipping’s chairman, Mohammed Jaffer, while KPA Harbour Master Ali Abdille awarded a certificate of first call to the ship's master.

Transhipment and logistics hub

Tayari emphasised the authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Kenya’s position as a transhipment and logistics hub.

In a parallel development, the Port of Lamu also celebrated the maiden arrival of the container vessel MV Derby D.

The ship loaded 371 TEUs of transhipment cargo destined for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, showcasing Lamu’s growing importance in regional maritime trade.

KPA Managing Director William Ruto piloted the CMA CGM vessel during its inaugural call.

“The arrival of MV Derby D is proof that global shipping lines see Lamu as a viable alternative for regional trade. We anticipate more vessels as we position Lamu as a key gateway for East and Central Africa,” Ruto said, highlighting the significance of Lamu’s strategic location.

Developed under the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor project, Lamu Port boasts advanced infrastructure, including 400-meter-long berths with a depth of 17.5 meters, enabling it to accommodate larger vessels than Mombasa port.

The ship’s master, Captain Chernov Pavel, praised the port's facilities, describing them as well-suited for handling large carriers.

“This port is impressive, and I look forward to returning,” he said.