The port of Lamu is poised to become a hub of transshipment business after the acquisition of three new ship-to-shore gantry cranes.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) acquired the cranes from China at a total cost of USD 31 million (approximately Sh4 billion).

The cranes arrived in Lamu port last Sunday with the vessel carrying the cranes MV Zhen Hua 24, berthing at the port’s second berth.

KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto said that the cranes are expected to boost operations at Kenya’s second commercial port.

“The procurement of these cranes underscores our commitment in managing our premier ports, including the Port of Mombasa and Port of Lamu which serve as vital gateways for regional and international trade, connecting our nation to the global economy”.

“These cutting-edge cranes, equipped with advanced technology and capabilities, will revolutionize our operations and position the Port as a global maritime hub,” said Ruto.

The cranes have a span of 30.5 meters with a lifting height of 60 meters and an outreach of 62 meters with a back reach of 16 meters.

Captain Ruto said that what sets the cranes apart is their advanced technology and capabilities.

“These cranes have been specifically designed to address the unique challenges posed by Lamu's windy conditions, with twin-box booms ensuring stability and operational reliability,” Ruto said.

Furthermore, with a reach of 24 containers across and the ability to handle modern vessels over 18,000 TEUs, these cranes are equipped to compete with the best ports in the world and attract Super Post Panamax vessels”

The port serves as a critical pillar of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project and is expected to connect Kenya to South Sudan and Ethiopia and is also expected to link northern Kenya to the Middle Belt of Africa which runs from Dakar, Senegal in the west to Lamu in the east.

The LAPSSET Corridor Program encompasses a vast network of infrastructure projects, including highways, railways, and international airports.

Since the operationalization of the port in 2021, Lamu port has to date handled 59 vessels that called to the port making a substantial increase in cargo and container traffic.

In 2023 alone, the Port of Lamu handled 37,576 metric tons of cargo, marking a substantial increase from 6,539 MT in 2022, reflecting a growth of 31,037 MT.

Additionally, container traffic saw a significant rise, with 1,779 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) recorded in 2023 compared to 382 TEUs in 2022, representing an increase of 1,397 TEUs.

“With a total container capacity of 1.2 million TEUs across its three berths of 400 meters each, the Port is poised to become a key driver of economic growth and regional integration,”

"These impressive statistics underscore the vital role that the Port of Lamu plays in facilitating trade and driving economic growth in the region” Ruto said.