Kenya port registers 8.4 per cent volume growth
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced an 8.4 per cent growth in cargo volumes between 2005 and 2006.
KPA Managing Director Mr Abdallah Mwaruwa announced last week that the port handled a total cargo throughput of 14.4 million tonnes compared to 13.2 million tonnes in 2005 of both conventional cargo and containers.
Mwaruwa said that the port handled 479,000 Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo compared to 436,000 TEUs in 2005.
Mwaruwa said with the increased growth, there were plans to expand the existing container terminal by construction an extra berth.
Plans are also at an advanced stage to construct a second container terminal with 900 meters quay length and 100 acre of back-up yard.
"To do this, we are negotiating with the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation and we hope to finalise the arrangements and to start construction before the end of this year," he said.
Once complete, the project will give the port an extra capacity to handle over 1.2 million TEUs. The project will go hand in hand with dredging of the channel to increase depth so that the port can handle panamax size vessels.
"We will therefore be able to compete effectively with major ports of the world. The city of Mombasa will also experience a major change," said Mwaruwa. He was speaking during the official launch of the Municipal Council of Mombasa magazine called the Mombasa Bulletin where he was the guest of honour.
To be produced quarterly, the magazine will be the council’s official journal and will inform the public on the various projects and programmes being undertaken within the town.
KPA Managing Director Mr Abdallah Mwaruwa announced last week that the port handled a total cargo throughput of 14.4 million tonnes compared to 13.2 million tonnes in 2005 of both conventional cargo and containers.
Mwaruwa said that the port handled 479,000 Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container cargo compared to 436,000 TEUs in 2005.
Mwaruwa said with the increased growth, there were plans to expand the existing container terminal by construction an extra berth.
Plans are also at an advanced stage to construct a second container terminal with 900 meters quay length and 100 acre of back-up yard.
"To do this, we are negotiating with the Japanese Bank for International Co-operation and we hope to finalise the arrangements and to start construction before the end of this year," he said.
Once complete, the project will give the port an extra capacity to handle over 1.2 million TEUs. The project will go hand in hand with dredging of the channel to increase depth so that the port can handle panamax size vessels.
"We will therefore be able to compete effectively with major ports of the world. The city of Mombasa will also experience a major change," said Mwaruwa. He was speaking during the official launch of the Municipal Council of Mombasa magazine called the Mombasa Bulletin where he was the guest of honour.
To be produced quarterly, the magazine will be the council’s official journal and will inform the public on the various projects and programmes being undertaken within the town.