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The Ksh32 billion (approx. US$273.5 million) second container terminal at the Mombasa Port is complete and set for commissioning. The construction of the terminal commenced in September 2018. With its completion, the port’s capacity will increase to 450,000 containers, bringing the annual capacity to 2.1 million containers.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) confirmed at a meeting at its Kipevu headquarters that the Japanese contractor, Tokyo Construction Company Limited, completed the project. 

Hironari Sahara (Civil Construction Division Manager) and Shuichi Aikawa (General Manager International Division) from Tokyo Construction Company and Sudi Mwasinago, General Manager Cargo Operations and Abdullahi Samatar, General Manager Infrastructure Development from KPA, attended the meeting. The facility covers 100 acres in Kilindini Harbour. 

“We are ready to hand over the facility for inspection ahead of commissioning with operations expected to commence in June this year,” Hironori Sahara said. 

A government-to-government loan provided the financing. The funds were disbursed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Kenya is expected to repay the loan over 40 years. 

In the maritime transport sector, the government, through @Kenya_Ports has prioritized areas of innovation, technology, and infrastructural developments as pillars that will catapult KPA to be a leader in maritime, shipping and logistics. #Leadersasgatekeepers pic.twitter.com/AVIsKADCZO

— Amb. John Mwangemi (@BaloziMwangemi) May 27, 2022

The first of the three-phase project was completed in February 2016 for Ksh28 billion (approx. US$239.3 million) raising the port’s capacity to 1.63 million TEUs from 1.08 million. It involved the recovery of 50 acres of sea space to provide 550,000 TEUs.

The final phase will begin in 2023 and on completion will achieve a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs and have three berths with quarry lengths of 230, 320, and 350 metres.

The completed facility is expected to handle Panamax container ships of 20,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT) and Post Panamax vessels of 60,000 DWT. That will help the port compete with the Dar-es-Salaam and Djibouti ports.

Top Photo: Container and tanker vessels in port of Mombasa (Druid007 | Dreamstime)