Mombasa Port posts new cargo record

By STANLEY MWAHANGA

Mombasa Port’s cargo grew marginally in the first quarter of this year compared to a similar period last year, Kenya Ports Authority said yesterday. The port handled 5.56 million tonnes compared to last year’s 5.10 tonnes, representing a 9 per cent increase.

And KPA projects that the amount of cargo being handled at the facility will grow further into the second quarter due to increased efficiency at the harbour, which has reduced average cargo dwell time (the time a vessel takes to offload cargo at the port) from 5.8 days to a record two days.

The upgrade of Kilindi Water Front System, which faced teething problems last year is at an advanced stage, a move that is expected to reduce the time ships take at the port even further.

According to KPA Chairman Danson Mungatana, the port in the first quarter also saw the average turnaround time per ship hit 3.2 days against 3.3 days. Speaking in his office when the Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Mr Yogeshwar Varma paid him a courtesy call, Mungatana noted that India is the largest importer and exporter through the port.