Lamu Port receives first transshipment consignment
Shortly after 3.00 pm on Thursday, container vessel MV AMU1 docked at the new Lamu Port becoming the first commercial ship to call at the Port of Lamu since the operationalization of the first berth two months ago.
Aboard the vessel were 62 full transhipment containers destined for Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) in Saudi Arabia.
MV AMU1 owned by Lamu Shipping Limited, had made a historic voyage, by shipping the first transhipment consignment at the new port.
Speaking to the media during the reception of the vessel, KPA's General Manager, Lamu Port, Eng. Abdullahi Samatar, said the consignment on the ship was mixed cargo, mainly agricultural products.
Another vessel MV Spirit of Dubai is expected at the Port on Monday to pick the transhipment cargo for onward shipment to Dubai.
"With the arrival of this ship it signifies we are ready for business and therefore we expect more transhipment traffic to this port which has a competitive advantage in terms of geographical position and capacity to handle bigger vessels," said the GM.
Kenya Revenue Authority Regional Coordinator Southern region Joseph Tonui who was in lamu to witness the arrival of the Cargo said the receipt of the consignment at the LAMU Port is a clear sign of confidence by the shipping Industry.
“The dream of making LAMU the Port of Choice for exports, imports and transhipment hub is becoming a reality,” Tonui said.
He further disclosed that a 10 dollar transhipment fee has already been waived, with discussions ongoing among stakeholders to explore other tax break options.
Tonui further added that KRA has deployed clearance systems to enhance and guarantee efficiency and turnaround time at the new port.
"The investment the government has put in this port is high and we are therefore happy to receive business. As government agencies we are glad to note that operations are going on smoothly and we will continue working together to ensure our port attracts more business, "he said.
According to Samatar, discussions are ongoing between KPA and other stakeholders on reduced tariffs and tax rebates that will make Lamu Port an attractive logistics hub.
On his part, General Manager, Lamu Shipping Limited, Dominic Mwashigadi, expressed satisfaction with the cargo handling operations at the port saying even the equipment deployed indicated that the port meets international standards.
He said the ship took 35 hours to sail from Zanzibar to Lamu.
