Coast

Lamu Port operations receive boost after acquiring new crane

The vessel transporting the Ship to Shore Gantry crane (STSs) at the Port of Lamu on April 7, 2024. (Photo: KPA)

By Farhiya Hussein | Monday, April 8, 2024

The Ethiopian Government is keen on utilising the Port of Lamu due to the growing instability in the Red Sea region.

The Port of Lamu is poised for improved operations after the Kenya Ports Authority acquired a new advanced Ship-to-Shore gantry crane.

According to Kenya Port Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto, three cranes brought by MV Zhen Hua 24 from China berthed at the Port of Lamu on Sunday.

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Two of the cranes will be delivered to Sudan, further contributing to the region's maritime infrastructure.

“The Ethiopian Government is keen on utilising the Port of Lamu due to the growing instability in the Red Sea region,” Captain Ruto said.

He lauded the government for enhancing security along the LAPSSET corridor highway, which will link the Port of Lamu to Ethiopia and South Sudan, with only a small portion of the road left to be built.

Captain Ruto said the highway will aid in cargo transportation from the port.

“They have pledged to begin cargo operations in Lamu shortly, coinciding with the arrival of the new ship-to-shore crane,” he said.

The vessel transporting the Ship to Shore Gantry crane (STSs) at the Port of Lamu on April 7, 2024. (Photo: KPA)

He anticipates a significant transformation in transhipment handling methods.

Captain Ruto said that due to issues in other regional ports and the current challenges in the Red Sea, the Port of Mombasa handles 30 to 40 per cent of transhipment cargo.

He pointed out that the Port of Mombasa's productivity has been boosted by the installation of another four Ship-to-Shore Gantry cranes last year.

Captain Ruto expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Mombasa port, commending his team.

He announced that in March, they set a new record by handling over 180,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), a milestone never reached before.

“The port's throughput surpasses that of other ports in the region, with a current handling of approximately 500,000 TEUs. Within the next four to five months, they will exceed their competitors' annual throughput."

The vessel transporting the Ship to Shore Gantry crane (STSs) at the Port of Lamu on April 7, 2024. (Photo: KPA)

Following the successful delivery of the Ship to Shore Gantry Cranes for the operationalisation of Lamu Port's first three berths, regional leaders congratulated Kenya on the milestone.

The leaders include the Republic of South Sudan Minister for Transport Madut Biar Yel, the Republic of South Sudan Minister for Petroleum Puot Kang, Ethiopia's Minister for Transport and Logistics Dhenge Boru and Ethiopia Maritime Authority Director-General Ato Mekonen.

“This is a breakthrough for the African continent’s connectivity. Congratulations Kenya,” said Boru.

Others who applauded Kenya are; Dr Stephen Karinge, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division, UNECA Chief Energy Infrastructure Eng. Robert Tama Lisinge, UNECA Principal Regional Advisor Brendah Phiri -Mundia and Eng Lado Tombe, Director General Road Transport and Safety, Ministry of Transport, Republic of South Sudan.

“Congratulations to Kenya for this great achievement. This is a big win for Regional Integration of the AU Agenda 2063,” said Dr Stephen Karinge.

“Wonderful, congratulations to Kenya. This achievement will go a long way to facilitate cross-border trade among LAPSSET Corridor partner States and beyond,” added Brenda Phiri-Mundia.