Business

New Lamu port begins operations, a boost to economy

Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 00:00 | By
KPA acquires new Ksh1.4b tugboat for Lamu Port
Lamu port.

LAUNCH: It’s all systems go as the newly built multibillion shilling Lamu Port gears up for Thursday’s launch by President Uhuru Kenyatta when transhipment operations commences.

On that day, the project which is part of  Lamu Port-South Sudan- Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor will receive its maiden cargo vessel to officially kick off operations.

Lapsset is a crucial Kenya Vision 2030 flagship project and is expected to transform regional economies through increased trade, integration and inter-connectivity spanning South Sudan and landlocked Ethiopia.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) acting Managing Director Rashid Salim said larger container ships will be plying the country’s second commercial seaport developed by the China Communications Construction Company.

“The new port has a huge potential for business since it sits right in the middle of major shipping routes for global trade” he said in an interview.

Already crucial equipment like Rubber Tyred Gantries, ship-to-shore cranes, low load trailers, extension cargo handlers and tag boats to be used at the new facility are already at the port site.

Trade routes

Salim said: “There would be no competition between Mombasa port and the brand new Lamu port since each will in the long run have its own trade routes to serve”.

He said KPA is also making the Mombasa port to be more competitive by continually upgrading its infrastructure, constructing more storage facilities, enhancing security and improving the efficiencies of port operations to accommodate the increase in freight.

Salim said KPA is working closely with the Kenya Revenue Authority and other relevant state agencies to come up with modalities of offering incentives to shipping lines docking at the new facility.

More on Business


ADVERTISEMENT

RECOMMENDED STORIES Business


ADVERTISEMENT