NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 14 – The Port of Mombasa has reported a 13.9 percent increase in cargo throughput, handling 33.8 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2024, up from 29.7 million tons during the same period last year.
The surge, amounting to an additional 4.1 million tons, surpasses the port’s 2024 target by more than 5 percent, further cementing Mombasa’s position as a key player in global trade and logistics.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director, William Ruto, credited the growth to a combination of domestic and international factors, including a rise in demand from major sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and construction.
These industries, he said, continue to rely on Mombasa for efficient import and export processes.
“The increased throughput is directly linked to the expanding sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, all of which rely on Mombasa to keep their supply chains running smoothly,” Ruto said in a statement.
“Additionally, global trends such as the shift towards larger vessels, which benefit from economies of scale, have positively impacted Mombasa’s handling capacity.”
One of the most notable increases has been in liquid bulk cargo, which rose by 9 percent, or nearly 700,000 tons, compared to the same period last year.
Ruto highlighted that the growth reflects rising demand for fuel, chemicals, and other liquid commodities, underscoring the Port of Mombasa’s diversified cargo handling capabilities.
However, the standout achievement in 2024 has been the significant rise in transit cargo, which surged by 20.2 percent.
This increase is largely attributed to Uganda, which saw a remarkable 26.5 percent growth in transit traffic through Mombasa, contributing an additional 1.5 million tons of cargo.
Ruto described the growth in Uganda’s trade as a key indicator of Mombasa’s strengthening role as a regional transit hub.
The positive performance comes as Mombasa’s role in regional logistics continues to grow, with neighboring landlocked countries increasingly relying on the port for access to global markets.
