The Chinese-built Lamu port has received a large cargo vessel as the port reaffirms its strategic position as a transhipment hub serving the greater eastern African region.
John Mwangemi, acting managing director of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), said the arrival of MV Spirit of Dubai, owned by the French shipping line CMA CGM, at the recently launched first berth of Lamu port, is an inspiration confidence in its ability to host international logistics business.
The Lamu Port is also a Kenya Vision 2030 flagship project and is expected to transform regional economies through increased trade. Recruitment of various departmental staff members at the port has since taken place with more expected to be brought on board later.
LAPSSET
Construction of the Lamu Port began in December 2016 with the dredging works on the three berths. It is part of the Sh2.5 trillion Lamu-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET). The foundation stone of the LAPSSET project was laid by former President Mwai Kibaki in 2012, a dream that finally comes to fruition nine years later. President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over the operationalisation of the first berth of the 32-berth seaport in Lamu and witnessed the docking of the Singaporean MV CAP Carmel, the first ship to dock at the deep sea port.
“The dream of spearheading the transhipment business at the Lamu port has now become a reality with the arrival of the world’s biggest and most reputable shipping lines. We are prepared to continue receiving more vessels in the coming few days,” said Mwangemi.
MV Spirit of Dubai will pick the same cargo offloaded by MV AMU 1, for onward transhipment to the Middle East and Europe. The port is capable of handling Panamax and post-Panamax vessels with a capacity of over 10,000 TEUs. Two additional berths will be operationalized at the end of this year.
