First transhipment cargo vessel to Saudi Arabia docks at Lamu Port

By Tobby Otum

The first transshipment cargo vessel destined to Saudi Arabia docked at Lamu Port in Lamu county.

Newly appointed acting Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] Managing Director Amb John Mwangemi pointed out the arrival of the French owned MV Spirit is extremely important to the port.

Speaking during a brief ceremony which was his first official function since taking over from his predecessor Rashid Salim, he pointed out that the arrival of the vessel gave the authority the opportunity to test the equipments which were installed when the government commissioned the first berth.

“The arrival of the vessel is one of the major activities after the government commissioned the first berth in Lamu county,” he pointed out.

Mwangemi pointed out the Lamu facility is part and parcel of KPA’s strategic plans to diversify sources of need.

He spoke during the reception of the first transshipment cargo vessel destined to Saudi Arabia at Lamu port in Lamu county.

The KPA MD said the Lamu port will help them to develop the hinterland with a target to move cargo along the Lamu Port and Lamu-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport [LAPPSET] Corridor area.

Mwangemi said the authority is using the same strategic plan in the maritime sector to develop Shimoni port for the fishing industry.

He told journalists the move is to bring on board the port in the government’s effort on the blue economy.

“Talks are underway with major shipping lines to utilize the facility with the aim of making the port the second biggest within the continent,” he added.

The KPA boss said two years along the line the facility will be ready after the completion of the first and second berths in two month’s time.

Mwangemi pointed out KPA plans to tap business opportunities within the African continent on transshipment cargo

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