Mombasa Port Record Growth in Cargo in 9 months to September
Uganda contributed to an increase of 1,132,326 tons or 21.9 percent.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto has disclosed that the Port of Mombasa has recorded a remarkable increase in cargo throughput for the period of January to September 2024.
He said the facility has been able to handle a total of 29.92 million tons this year compared to 26.68 million tons registered during the same period in 2023.
"This marks a significant growth of 3.23 million tons or 12.1 percent, showcasing the port's resilience and capacity to handle increasing trade volumes," he said.
Captain Ruto disclosed in terms of container traffic, the Port processed 1,461,736 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) during the period under review, a substantial increase from the 1,191,282 TEUs handled in 2023, reflecting a growth of 270,454 TEUs or 22.7 percent.
In a press statement released to media houses he added the transshipment traffic exhibited exceptional growth, registering an increase of 216,339 TEUs or 162.8 percent.
The KPA MD said both imports and exports have also demonstrated moderate growth, with imports rising by 27,656 TEUs (5.2 percent) and exports increasing by 22,273 TEUs (4.3 percent).
Captain Ruto further said in his press release to the media that the transit cargo saw significant improvement as well, with total transit volumes reaching 9.83 million tons compared to 8.36 million tons in 2023, a variance of 1,469,540 tons or 17.6 percent.
He revealed that Uganda played a pivotal role in this upturn performance, contributing to an increase of 1,132,326 tons or 21.9 percent.
"The growth has been attributed to the hard work and dedication of the workforce as well as the support of partners and stakeholders," he said.
The KPA boss noted that in the single month of September 2024, the Port handled a total of 3,415,174 tons of cargo against 2,763,987 tons realized in the corresponding month in 2023, representing an increment of 651,187 tons or 23.6 percent.
Captain Ruto said the performance at the facility was attributed to a significant increase in containerised cargo volumes by 395,583 tons or 27.6 percent as well as liquid bulk by 293,308 tons or 54.7 percent.
He said the significant performance was witnessed at the port in full transshipment traffic volumes recording an increase of 24,748 TEUs or 300.6 percent, respectively.
“This was attributed to windfall traffic on the eastern seaboard of Africa due to the diversion of vessels around the Cape of Good Hope and the ongoing congestion concerns in the Port of Dar-es Salaam and Durban,” he said.
"We are committed to enhancing our services and facilities to accommodate the growing demand and continue to support the region's economic development," Captain Ruto added.
Captain Ruto added that industry players remain optimistic that the port’s growth on the existing upward trajectory of cargo volumes and ongoing investments in infrastructural support, will see the Port meet its annual target for the year 2024.
He insisted the Port of Mombasa remains a critical hub for trade in East Africa, and these promising results reflect its strategic importance in facilitating trade and connectivity across the region.
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