NAIROBI, Kenya — Cargo volumes handled at the Port of Mombasa rose to a historic high in 2025, underlining Kenya’s growing role as a regional maritime and logistics hub.
Data released by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) shows the port processed 45.45 million metric tonnes of cargo between January and December 2025, marking a 10 per cent increase compared to 40.99 million metric tonnes recorded in 2024.
Container traffic also hit a new milestone, climbing to 2.11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 2.00 million TEUs the previous year.
The increase of 109,797 TEUs represents a 5.5 per cent growth, driven by rising trade volumes and improved port efficiency.
Speaking during a media briefing to release KPA’s 2025 performance outlook, Managing Director Capt. William Ruto said transit cargo registered the strongest growth, rising by 19.5 per cent to 15.88 million metric tonnes, from 13.29 million metric tonnes in 2024.
“All port facilities recorded positive growth, with the Port of Lamu posting the most remarkable improvement,” Capt. Ruto said.
Lamu, Kisumu Ports Record Strong Gains
The Port of Lamu handled 799,161 metric tonnes in 2025, a sharp jump from 74,380 metric tonnes the previous year, largely driven by containerised cargo.
The facility also processed 55,687 TEUs, reflecting growing confidence by shipping lines operating along the northern corridor.
“With more shipping lines introducing regular services at Lamu, this signals even stronger cargo volumes in the coming years,” Capt. Ruto noted.
Meanwhile, the inland waterway port of Kisumu recorded a 55 per cent increase in cargo throughput, handling 496,516 metric tonnes in 2025 compared to 295,516 metric tonnes in 2024.
Cargo volumes through the Port of Mombasa have hit a record 45.45 million metric tons for the period January to December 2025. This is a 10.0 percent increase or 4.46 million metric tons in comparison to 2024 when the port handled 40.99 million metric tons. Similarly, significant
Infrastructure Expansion Underway
KPA attributed the strong performance to ongoing and planned investments aimed at easing congestion and meeting rising demand.
Key projects include the expansion of berths and yard space, notably berths 19B, 23 and 24, which are expected to add an extra 1.4 million TEUs to the port’s handling capacity once completed.
The Authority is also upgrading its Terminal Operating System, now 40 per cent complete, alongside gate automation works, which have reached 60 per cent completion at gates 23 and 24.
Capt. Ruto added that the acquisition and modernisation of cargo-handling equipment is at an advanced stage, while closer collaboration with industry players is helping streamline operations across Kenya’s ports.
