(Mombasa) – The Port of Mombasa has recorded a notable 14% increase in cargo throughput during the first ten months of 2024. The total amount of cargo handled reached 33.78 million tons, a rise of 4.12 million tons compared to the same period in 2023, when the port handled 29.66 million tons. The growth was largely driven by increased demand from Uganda, which was responsible for a significant portion of the increase.
Containerized cargo saw the most significant rise, growing by 3.12 million tons, or 21.1%. Additionally, Liquid Bulk cargo increased by 697,648 tons, marking a 9.0% growth. These improvements highlight the port’s growing role as a key trade hub for the region.
In October 2024, the Port of Mombasa’s total throughput reached 3.76 million tons, compared to 2.98 million tons during the same month in 2023. This represented a 26.1% increase, amounting to an extra 776,231 tons handled in October alone.
Uganda was the largest contributor to this growth, with its cargo handling rising by 1.53 million tons, or 26.5%. This surge in traffic from Uganda is helping the port move closer to surpassing its revised container traffic target for the year. In 2024, the port is on track to handle a projected 1.97 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), surpassing its original target of 1.8 million TEUs, which was already a significant increase from last year’s 1.62 million TEUs.
The performance has already exceeded the annual target of 32.15 million tons by 5.1%. During the year, the port handled 1.64 million TEUs in container traffic, which is an increase of 320,241 TEUs, or 24.2%, compared to the same period in 2023, when it handled 1.32 million TEUs. Overall, the port is on track to handle approximately 40.54 million tons of cargo, 480,241 TEUs in transshipment traffic, and 13.42 million tons in transit traffic by the end of the year.
Both imports and exports also showed steady growth, with imports increasing by 31,915 TEUs, or 5.4%, and exports rising by 30,923 TEUs, also a 5.4% increase. Transit cargo, which is cargo passing through the port but destined for other countries, increased by 20.2%, reaching 11.18 million tons, up from 9.30 million tons in 2023.
According to Captain William Ruto, Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the increased throughput is driven by sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. These industries rely on Mombasa Port for the efficient import and export of goods, further cementing the port’s strategic importance in regional trade.
Looking ahead, KPA has plans for continued growth and expansion. The construction of Berth 19B, which is expected to increase capacity by 300,000 TEUs, is currently underway. Additionally, plans for Berth 23 and a specialized berth at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone are in place to maintain the port’s competitive edge in the region.
Key Statistics for 2024
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Cargo Handled (Jan-Oct 2024) | 33.78 million tons |
| Cargo Increase | 4.12 million tons (+14%) |
| Containerized Cargo Increase | 3.12 million tons (+21.1%) |
| Liquid Bulk Increase | 697,648 tons (+9.0%) |
| Total Throughput in October 2024 | 3.76 million tons (+26.1%) |
| Cargo from Uganda | 1.53 million tons (+26.5%) |
| Container Traffic | 1.64 million TEUs (+24.2%) |
| Transit Cargo Increase | 20.2% increase (11.18 million tons) |
| Annual Cargo Throughput Projection | 40.54 million tons |
| Transshipment Traffic Estimate | 480,241 TEUs |
| Projected Transit Cargo | 13.42 million tons |