Mombasa port has registered 3.3 percent increase on cargo throughput in the first six months as government promises to restore workers’ bonuses to motivate them further.
The increment has been attributed to investment by the government in the past few years as competition from other regional ports increase.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said in the first half of 2023, the Port of Mombasa saw remarkable growth of cargo handled from 17.48 million tons handled in 2022 in the first half of the year to an impressive 18.06 million tons this year.
During the period, container traffic shared a similar narrative, rising from 722,063 Twenty-foot equivalent Units (TEUs) to 783,125 TEUs, signifying an impressive 8.5 percent surge.
Mr Murkomen said the numbers reflect Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) strategic dedication to increase efficiency in different port facilities.
“We are not only investing on infrastructure but also on human resource that is why we are considering bonuses for those who handle these equipments,” said Mr Murkomen.
He added, “Our projection of handling 34.5 million tons (1.4 percent more than 2022) and 1.56 million TEUs (7.7 percent growth from 2022) underscores our unwavering commitment to progress.”
Speaking at the port of Mombasa while witnessing offloading of four Ship to Shore (STS) Gantry cranes, the CS said the investment by the government resonates with their commitment to meeting the ever-evolving needs of our partners, stakeholders, and the global trade network that we contribute to.
Murkomen was accompanied by KPA Managing Director captain William Ruto, Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari among other officials.
Murkomen noted “The government is not merely acquiring equipment, we are fostering our capacity to handle current trade volumes while seamlessly embracing future growth. We want to remain one of the efficient ports in the region and we focus in equipping port facilities in Mombasa and Lamu.”
Adding" Don't listen to those people who are saying that our port has been overtaken by I don't know which port from another country. Our port is doing well and we will continue to improve it"
The new cranes bring a total of sixteen STSs, twenty-five Reach stackers positioned at different berths at the port of Mombasa with four more anticipated, and a fleet of twenty-seven empty container handlers poised for procurement.
Additionally, the Port of Lamu is set to receive three Ship-to-Shore Gantry cranes, further solidifying KPA’s commitment to modernization and capacity expansion.
The four cranes worth more than Sh5.8 billion from a Chinese company; Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co.Ltd (ZPMC) now poised to be strategically deployed at berth no. 16.
