The Port of Mombasa has been ranked number 114 among the world's best 120 best ports that handle container cargo.

This is one step ahead of 2016 when it was ranked at position 115 worldwide.

The annual ranking is conducted by a reputable shipping magazine,Container Magazine .

Speaking at the Port of Mombasa, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Head of Corporate Affairs Mr Benard Osero said that the latest ranking now puts the Mombasa of Mombasa at position 6 in Africa and 1st position in East and Central Africa .

Ports listed in the Container Magazine are those that  have attained well over 1 million TEUS annualy.

'' This is a laudable move and goes to show the steady and tremendous growth that the Port of Mombasa has been undergoing after a number of infrastructural upgrades,'' Osero said.

In the listing, Mombasa Port handled 1.1 million TEUs in 2017 up from 1.09 million TEUs , a 9 per cent growth  .

''This percentage increment was better than what the best performing Port in the World- the Port of Shangai in China which had 30 million TEUs in the latest rankings,'' Osero said.

He added that other best performing Ports in Africa included Tanger Med Port in Morocco  which handled 3.3 million TEUs, Durban (South Africa ) did 2.6 million TEUs and Lagos Nigeria that made it into the list for the first time clocking 1.5 million TEUs in 2017.

Africa's other best performing Ports are Alexandria and Port Said both in Egypt.

Osero spoke on the sidelines of the Customer Service Week which are being observed for one week.

The event is an annual global occasion which is celebrated during the first week of October when customer oriented, organisations and institutions around the world  recognize  the importance of customer  service excellence and the staff who serve the customer.

KPA Acting Managing Director, Dr Arch.Daniel Manduku while addressing KPA staff at the firm's Headquarters yesterday said that to mark the global event, KPA has come up with a slogan 'You are Important ' shall be organising a series of events to demonstrate customer centric attitude.

KPA Head of Container Operations, Mr Paul Bor represented the MD at the function.

'' We have organised a road show within the Port's precincts  to help create awareness  on the event  and to motivate KPA employees to remain committed to improving customer satisfaction,'' the MD said.