Lamu Port Receives First Bulk Carrier with Transit Cargo
Fertilizer Consignment at port(Photo/ Courtesy)
By Andrew Mwangura
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Plans to make Lamu port a transshipment hub for South Sudan and Ethiopia made a major step when the port received the first bulk carrier recently.
The bulk carrier laden with Ethiopia- bound consignment of fertilizer docked on May 14, 2024 at the Port of Lamu.
The maiden call by MV Abbay II, which sailed to Lamu from Morocco, marks the inaugural cargo destined to the transit market through the Kenya’s newest Port.
This milestone signifies advancement in the utilization of the Port of Lamu by partner states, in line with the Lamu Ports South Sudan Ethiopia Corridor Project .
The much-anticipated vessel was received by a high-level delegation from Ethiopia led by Agriculture Minister Dr Girma Amante, State Minister Ministry of Transport Dange Boru, and CEO of Ethiopia Shipping and Logistics Dr Beniso Amelo, among others.
According to Dr Girma Amante, Ethiopia with a population of over 100 million is among the fastest growing economies in Africa, hence the need to diversify access to the sea through the utilization of the Port of Lamu for the importation and exportation of Ethiopian cargo.
His counterpart at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, State Minister Dhenge Boru noted that the inaugural arrival of Abbay II is a pivotal moment for the region and a testament to the collective vision.
Lamu Port is not just a harbour but the heartbeat of the Lapsset corridor, and a lifeline that binds Kenya, South -Sudan and Ethiopia in the capacity of trade connectivity.
The vessel docks at the port barely a month since Kenya Ports Authority acquired three ship to shore Gantry cranes, which are expected to boost operations at the second commercial port.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto in his remarks said that the Port of Lamu stands ready to further enhance its capacity and capabilities to meet the growing demands of international trade.
Captain Ruto added that KPA has made significant investments including the acquisition of equipment and development of infrastructure to position Kenya’s second commercial port as a trade and logistics hub in the region.
Equally the KPA Board gave assurance of full support in facilitating MV Abbay II, noting the call sends the strongest indication yet that business at Port of Lamu is steadily growing.
The Chairman Benjamin Dalu Tayari who was represented by Director Peter Omingo said that the significance of MV Abbay II arrival goes beyond the increased business activity at the port, but also underscores the robust business partnership being cultivated with our neighbour, Ethiopia.
The vessel was received by among others the Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, Director General Lapsset Stephen Ikua, Lamu Ag County Commissioner Mr Charles Kitheka, General Manager Lamu Port Eng Vincent Sidai among other senior government officials.
The fertilizer aboard the ship was unloaded and packaged at the quayside before being transported by road through the corridor to Moyale town at the border and further onward to Ethiopia.
