How KPA is racing to expand Mombasa Port ahead of peak season

With just a few weeks to go before the much-anticipated festive season, a 14-day shipping schedule shows that the Port of Mombasa is set to handle 52 ships during that period, a clear sign of increased maritime activity.

However, the surge in operations at the port, which typically reaches its peak during the festive season as imports of goods rises, is expected to present significant logistical challenges.

Industry experts had cautioned that infrastructure development at the Port of Mombasa continued to lag behind over the past two years, even as cargo volumes continued to grow.

According to data from the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the port handled 32.86 million metric tonnes of cargo between January and September this year, up from 29.97 million metric tonnes recorded over the same period last year.

Now, KPA says it is in the race to expand and renovate the infrastructure at the port and its transport corridors to address the imminent congestion and boost logistics.

Mombasa port is also investing in modern equipment and automation to cope with the increased cargo volumes attributed to the expansion of economies in the region.

Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto announced that the construction of the first berth at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, along with berth 19B, is already underway. The projects are expected to enhance cargo handling efficiency and ease transportation at the Port of Mombasa.

They were speaking during the International Trade and Logistics Summit (ITLS) at a hotel in Mombasa County.

“We have started the construction of the first berth at Dongo Kundu and berth number 19B. If we do not do that, the port will be congested,” he said.

Daghar noted that the plan to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Suswa in Naivasha to Kisumu and then to Malaba was on course to decongest the Northern Corridor.

Daghar stated that the country is positioning Lamu port, with its three deep berths, as a transhipment hub.

The conference was organised by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA).

KNCCI Mombasa Chairman Abud Jamal said Mombasa – as the gateway to East and Central Africa – must take the lead in shaping the future of trade and logistics.

“This summit was conceived as a platform for dialogue, partnership and transformation, bringing together both public and private sector players to reflect on how to adopt modern logistical practices, leverage technology and align with global standards while still preserving the human values that make our sector resilient and dynamic,” he noted.

Ruto said apart from the ongoing construction of berth 19B, plans were also underway to develop berths 23 and 24 which will further ease the burden of increased cargo volumes.

“With expanding economies and growth in cargo volumes over the years, KPA has had to keep up with the pace of the growth by upgrading both hard and soft infrastructure. This has meant strategic plans to enhance capacity through the construction of new cargo terminals, oil terminals and investments in new and modern equipment, as well as greenfield projects like the construction of the Port of Lamu, Shimoni Fish Port and the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zones, among others,” he said.

The MD said KPA was also in the process of buying modern cargo handling equipment and upgrading the port terminal operating system that will onboard features such as automated gate systems, equipment positioning systems and barcoding systems, among others. 

The port has so far handled 1.55 million Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) during the period compared to 1.46 million metric tonnes in the corresponding period in 2024.

“This represents a growth of 91,000 TEUs, equivalent to 6.2 per cent. With these impressive numbers, our resolve is to work closely with each stakeholder to further enhance our efficiency and productivity,” said Ruto.

The summit coincides with the rapid adoption of new technologies by the global logistics landscape, aimed at enhancing efficiency throughout the entire supply chain. 

“As we embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is a need for seamless, integrated and resilient supply chains,” he stated.

For hinterland countries, Ruto noted, access to efficient ports and transport corridors is critical for unlocking trade potential and achieving inclusive growth.

He added that logistics facilitates regional trade and economic growth through intermodal and multi-modal transport systems.

Ruto admitted that trade and logistics face emerging challenges from global supply chain shocks and rising fuel costs to climate change and geopolitical tensions. 

“With rapid technological changes, the sector players need to rethink traditional models and embrace innovation. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics and automation are reshaping operational transformation and service delivery,” he added.