Kenya’s Mombasa Port, recorded a 6.3 percent increase in its amount of cargo processed.
The 6.3 percent increase resulted in a total of 29.8 million tonnes in the eleven months ending in May 2019 compared to the previous 11 month period, according to data released by the port’s management.
Over the 11 months under review, container traffic increased by 13.1% to 1.27 million Twenty feet equivalent units (TEUs). Cargo destined for other countries, also increased by 10%.
Mombasa Port’s management, has attributed the increase to a surge in imports, higher efficiency, and a greater capacity as a result of the expansion of the East African nation’s port.
The Mombasa Port, serves as an entry point to East and Central Africa.
It processes imports and exports for Kenya and other countries including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda.
Mombasa Port’s Managing Director, Daniel Manduku said in a report that, “The positive performance was mainly driven by increased handling (of) cargo for Uganda, D.R.C and South Sudan,”.
The expansion drive of the port which was initiated in 2012 entailed the construction of a new container terminal and dredging as well, to enable bigger vessels gain access to the port.
The first phase of the expansion project which was partially financed by Japan, raised the port’s cargo handling capacity by 550,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
Phase two of the second container terminal is expected to provide an additional capacity of 450,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
The Government of Kenya and Japan, have signed a 35 billion Kenyan Shillings loan facility for the construction of phase two of the second container terminal at the port.
