KENYA's Mombasa Port posted a record of 1.6 million containers in 2023compared to 1.4 million containers in the previous year.
The growth has been attributed to improved efficiency at the facility, dispelling claims that Dar es Salaam port was attracting more ships than Kenya's main port, reports The Sunday Standard of Kenya.
Statistics released by Kenya Ports Authority(KPA) show the port handled 1.43 million TEU in2021, indicating that Mombasa Port remains the most efficient port on the East Coast of Africa.
KPA Managing Director William Ruto said container traffic grew more this year than in other years owing to improved efficiency at the facility.
A clearing agent Mr Clement Ngala concurred with Captain Ruto, noting that Mombasa port has been attracting more port users despite the challenges from shipping lines.
Mr Ngala maintained that foreign shipping lines have been the problem at Mombasa port and distanced the port from any blame. "We have a problem with what foreign shipping lines are charging at Mombasa port," he said adding some laws should be enacted to shield importers from high tariffs.
Mombasa port tariffs are fair and that is why we are not complaining against it.
Captain Ruto said even transshipment traffic had increased from 121,577 TEU in 2018 to 210,170 TEU in 2022 and is also expected to grow higher in the coming days.
Over the past five years, cargo throughput grew by 2.3 per cent from 30.9 million tonnes in 2018 to 33.9 million tonnes in 2022.
