Cargo traffic rises after introduction of new infrastructure

Cargo traffic at the port of Mombasa increased 7.5 percent in 2015, following the introduction of new cargo handling infrastructure.

According to The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the port of Mombasa handled 26.7 million tons of cargo last year, up from 24.9 million tons in 2014.

The port of Mombasa is a key artery for landlocked countries in the eastern Africa region that rely on the port for goods.

Of this cargo, imports stood at 22.6 million tons, a 9.2 percent growth from 20.8 million tons in 2014. Main exports into the region include fuel, cars, infrastructure tools as well as a variety of consumer goods.

Exports through the port grew by five percent to 3.5 million tons of cargo. Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda are major exporters of tea coffee and horticulture.

Of concern however was the fact that the volume cargo headed to neighboring countries dropped by 28.4 percent to 732 thousand tons. The ports authority attributed this to a new cargo clearing system.

Transit traffic increased substantially from to 7.7million tons in 2015 representing growth of 8.2 percent.

“I am also pleased to note that most of the transit countries have increased their usage of the Port,” KPA Ag CEO Catherine Wairi said.

Uganda maintained its position as the biggest transit market accounting for 5.5 million tons of cargo passing through the port of Mombasa. Rwanda increased its use of the port, growing its cargo to 291,924 tons.

KPA however fell short of its 1.1 million TEUs target handling only a million during 2015.

“Although this performance falls short of our target by a small margin, it is a manifestation that the port traffic is growing at a fast rate. It definitely maintains our position as one of the top container ports globally,” Ms Wairi added.

KPA expects the second container terminal currently under construction to provide an additional capacity of 550,000 TEUs, further boosting the port’s cargo handling ability.

The ports authority is also rehabilitating nine berths, creating more space for cargo.