The project which was commissioned in 2012 is 34% complete with phase one scheduled to be ready by 2015. Its main objective is to expand Mombasa’s container handling capacity to match future trends, stay competitive in cargo handling and facilitate economic development in the Eastern and Central Africa region.
The new container terminal west of the current terminal is being constructed on 100 hectares of reclaimed land and will have three berths 230, 320 and 350 m long. Dredging is being carried out to depths of minus 15 m for the main quay length of 670 m, minus 12 m for the 230 m berth and minus 11 m for a 210 m berth.
Phase one involves the construction of two berths for post-Panama vessels of 60,000 dwt and Panama container ships of 20,000 dwt as well as a smaller berth. The 1.2m teu terminal will increase Mombasa’s current port capacity by 15m tons.
In 2012, the port handled a total of 21.92m tons, up 9.9% per cent from 19.95m tons in 2011. Container traffic rose 17.2% to 903,463 teu from 770,804 teu in 2011. In the same period, transhipment traffic grew 18.4% to 6.63m tons.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) management anticipates continued upward growth especially now that the country is through with National elections. It projects that close to a 1m teu will be handled by the end of 2013 with a total throughput of around 22m tons.
By 2016 the Authority is aiming for around 27m tons and 1.3m teu total throughput.
Container Management
