Lamu port growth opens new trade gateway as shipping lines flock in

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The Port of Lamu is steadily emerging as a key alternative gateway for regional trade, attracting shipping lines, freight forwarders, and investors.

According to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), the port handled 799,161 metric tonnes of cargo.

It also served 55,687 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units, the standard measure for shipping containers) in the latest reporting period.

The growth was largely driven by transshipment activity and rising confidence among shipping lines exploring new routes outside Mombasa.

During a courtesy visit by a high-level KIFWA delegation, Lamu Port General Manager Capt. Abdulaziz Mzee said the figures show the port is securing its place within regional and international trade networks.

“Mediterranean Shipping Company has become the latest major line to commence operations at Lamu, joining CMA CGM,” Capt. Mzee said.

“We continue to attract shipping lines and logistics investors who are showing interest in the Port of Lamu.”

He encouraged KIFWA members to actively market the port’s capabilities, noting that the growth benefits freight operators, local businesses, and the broader Northern Corridor economy.

KIFWA branch Chairman Rajab Hamis described the port’s performance as “encouraging for freight forwarders seeking reliable alternative gateways.”

He added that the association will continue collaborating with KPA to strengthen trade and logistics opportunities.

The delegation, which included board members and national and branch-level officials, said their visit reflected a growing partnership between KPA and the private sector.

They noted that as Lamu transitions from a new facility into a fully operational port, its increasing commercial activity is creating fresh economic prospects for traders and communities along the Northern Corridor.

With more shipping lines arriving and cargo throughput rising, Lamu is positioning itself as a viable alternative to Mombasa, signaling a new chapter in Kenya’s regional trade and maritime strategy.