Mombasa port posted record growth in 2025 and the momentum is expected to be sustained in 2026 and the process drive significant economic growth.

Total cargo handling growth at Port of Mombasa hit a record 45.45 million metric tonnes in 2025 compared to 40.99 million tonnes handled in 2024, reflecting a notable upward trend. This represents a substantial increase of 4.46 million tonnes for freight and cargo, equivalent to a 10.9 per cent increase.

This marks a significant growth in regional trade which calls for capacity expansion to the growing trade demands for entry and exit cargo volume.

The Port of Mombasa has made remarkable strides ending the year 2025 on an impressive note recording far-reaching achievements in cargo traffic that have surpassed the previous year.

The Port of Mombasa is one of the largest and busiest ports in the East and Central African region, providing direct connectivity to over 80 ports worldwide. It is linked to a vast hinterland comprising Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, northern Tanzania, South Sudan and Ethiopia connected through a multi-modal transport system.

The port authority attributed the overall performance to ongoing reforms aimed at promoting imports and exports as well as ongoing infrastructure upgrades, modernisation, digitalisation of procedures and support from the national government.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director (MD) William Ruto disclosed that significant growth was also recorded in the total container traffic during the same period, with the port handling 2.11 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) against 2.00 million TEUs in 2024. This represents a growth of 109,797 TEUs or 5.5 per cent.

Capt Ruto said overall import and export volumes performed exceptionally, with import cargo volumes scaling up to a total of 36 million metric tonnes compared to 30 million metric tonnes in 2024, an equivalent of 20.1 per cent growth.

“Exports also picked up to a modest 5.03 million tonnes, jumping up from 4.96 million tonnes handled in 2024, representing an increase of 64,000 metric tonnes or 1.3 per cent,” he said.

The top KPA official also said market share strengthened notably in the domestic segment, expanding from 53.1 per cent to 55.4 per cent. Corresponding cargo volumes increased by a robust 16.1 per cent, equivalent to 3.50 million tonnes.

“This indicates sustained economic activity and a renewed trade demand ecosystem supported by improved logistics and streamlined cargo clearance processes,” said Ruto adding that KPA is committed to entrenching global best practices in the provision of maritime services.

Equally, transit cargo has continued to post steady growth with an impressive performance, of 15.88 million tons from 13.29 million tonnes in 2024, translating to 2.59 million metric tons or 19.5 per cent.

“We remain optimistic that this upward trajectory in cargo growth will persist in the years ahead since we have the capacity to handle high-volume cargo with precision,” he said.

All major transit markets delivered significant improvement during the period under review, with Uganda growing at 25.2 per cent, the Democratic Republic of Congo by an impressive 16.5 per cent, Rwanda by 22.8 per cent, Tanzania by 11.0 per cent.

The KPA MD said this achievement reaffirms Mombasa’s position as the most reliable and most preferred trade corridor in the region.

Ruto said transhipment traffic closed the year attaining 385,656 TEUs, down from 496,034TEUs recorded in 2024, a decline of 22.3 per cent.

“This development reflects global shipping trends including geopolitics, global shipping line rotations among others adding to competitive developments in the region,” he said, adding that KPA is committed to operational excellence.

MD Ruto also revealed that the port of Lamu, Kisumu port, Inland Container Depots (ICDs) Nairobi and Naivasha, equally registered strong performance reflecting an overall growth trajectory across the port facilities. He said the port of Lamu has shown major promise with an impressive total cargo throughput of 799,161 metric tonnes against 74,380 metric tonnes recorded the previous year mainly driven by containerised cargo.

The KPA MD noted that the Lamu seaport is steadily emerging as a key maritime gateway, attracting a growing number of vessels and building confidence among international shipping lines. He said with its strategic location, Lamu is drawing attention from global carriers eager to tap into regional trade routes.

“Efforts are underway to enhance operational efficiency and address any challenges underscoring our focus on keeping the new Lamu port efficient,” he said.

At the same time 55,687 TEUs total container traffic was realised during the period. With more shipping lines introducing regular services at Lamu.

The MD said since its revamping, Kisumu port has also sustained impressive growth pointing to the immense potential of lake ports in the region. In Kisumu cargo volumes recorded 496,516 metric tonnes compared to 295,516 metric tonnes in 2024. This represents a 55.0 per cent growth or 163,085 metric tonnes.

At the same time vessel calls at the Port of Mombasa during the year 2025, increased drastically, reaching a total of 1955 compared to the 1873 vessels that docked at the port in 2024 or equivalent to 4.4 percent.

“This underlines the high confidence that global shipping lines have placed in the port owing to the port’s striving,” he said.

Ruto said KPA is heavily investing in sustainable infrastructural development to expand its capacity, with various port initiatives currently being implemented. He highlighted port capacity expansion with the ongoing rehabilitation of berth 19B and planned construction of berth 23 and 24 that will increase Mombasa’s capacity by 1.4 million TEUS.

“Construction of Dongo Kundu Berth one – a multipurpose berth that will serve the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zones now stands at 15 per cent completion,” he noted.

Other ongoing initiatives includes the upgrade of the Terminal Operating System currently at 40 per cent completion and gates automation to smart gates with gates 23 and 24 (pilot) having attained a 60 per cent completion rate.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Mohamed Hassan