Construction works on the first three berths at Lamu port in Coastal Kenya has been fully completed. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA)‘s head of corporate affairs, Bernard Osero confirmed the report and said the port will ready for operations in June.
“Lamu port will specialize in handling containers and oil cargo between the east African hinterland and the rest of the world. The new facility will enable Kenya to become a gateway of choice for Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia,” said Mr, Osero.
The natural deep-sea port is part of the Sh2.5 trillion Lamu-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) project launched in 2012. The major players in the port equipment market include Liebherr (Switzerland), TTS (Norway), Kalmar (Finland), Konecranes (Finland), Sany (China) and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) (China). Others are Hyster (US), Lonking (China), CVS Ferrari (Italy), Anhui Heli (China), and Famur Famak (Poland), among others.
Open up trade
It is being developed by China Communication Construction Company (CCCC). The government put up the first three while the rest extended to financiers and private sector for development. World’s largest container shipping company, Maersk is among those that are eyeing Lamu Port, a boost to the facility which is slowly getting international maritime players attention. Kenya is counting on the LAPSSET corridor to open up trade with her Northern neighbours, mainly Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Lamu port construction once completed is expected to create job opportunities not only in port operations but also in agriculture, fishery, manufacturing, logistics, transport, trade and commerce. The government has structured the remaining 29 berths to be handed over to private sector investors for financing, construction and operation.
