The Port of Mombasa has posted robust growth in cargo and container volumes in the first half of 2025, defying global shipping headwinds to maintain its upward trajectory.
- •From January to June 2025, the port handled 21.3 million metric tonnes of cargo — an 8.1% increase compared to 19.7 million metric tonnes during the same period in 2024.
- •The port processed 1,012,949 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in the first half of 2025, marking a 6.7% rise from 948,983 TEUs handled in H1 2024 — an increase of 63,966 TEUs.
- •Import volumes jumped by 13.4% (up 48,793 TEUs), while exports grew by 14.4% (up 50,572 TEUs), underscoring a strong trade performance on both fronts.
“We are seeing the results of strategic investments in port infrastructure and operational efficiency. The performance reflects not just recovery, but a repositioning of Mombasa as a competitive and reliable maritime gateway,” KPA Managing Director William Ruto.
Key contributors to the cargo volume surge included: Liquid bulk: +766,763 tonnes (16.2%), Dry bulk: +418,910 tonnes (11.6%), Loose cargo: +371,514 tonnes (44.7%).
These gains come despite ongoing global shipping disruptions, particularly along the Red Sea route. Industry observers attribute the resilience to enhanced port infrastructure and faster cargo handling processes implemented by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
Ruto revealed the performance figures during the official handover of the Ksh 2.6 billion Shimoni Fish Port Infrastructure Project by contractor Southern Engineering Company (SECO).
The Shimoni Fish Port marks a strategic expansion for KPA into specialized maritime sectors. The facility features state-of-the-art systems for vessel landing, fish processing, and cold storage. It is expected to boost the fisheries value chain, create new jobs, and stimulate economic development in the coastal region.
