The Port of Mombasa has reported unprecedented growth in cargo throughput for the year 2024, highlighting its vital role in regional trade and as a key transit and transshipment hub.
Managing Director Capt. William K. Ruto, AFNI, MBS, announced that the port handled a total of 41.1 million tons of cargo, marking a significant increase from the 35.98 million tons recorded in 2023. This 14.1% growth, amounting to an additional 5.1 million tons, underscores the port’s resilience and capacity to manage increasing trade volumes amidst global disruptions.
In the container segment, the Port of Mombasa achieved a historic milestone, handling over 2 million TEUs for the first time in over a decade. Specifically, 2,005,076 TEUs were processed in 2024, representing a 23.5% increase compared to the 1,623,080 TEUs recorded in 2023. Imports rose by 7.2% to 768,088 TEUs, and exports increased by 6.6% to 731,934 TEUs.
Transit cargo volumes also saw a significant boost, rising by 17.4% to reach 13.4 million tons in 2024. Uganda remained the top transit destination, accounting for 65.7% of the transit cargo, with 8,811,289 tons handled a 23.8% increase from 2023. Other key destinations included South Sudan (12.7%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (11.8%), Rwanda (5.1%), and Tanzania (3.4%).
Transshipment traffic experienced exceptional growth, with 491,666 TEUs handled in 2024, reflecting a 132.9% increase compared to 2023. This surge was attributed to vessel diversions from the Red Sea crisis and improved vessel turnaround times at the port.
December 2024 was a particularly robust month, with a total cargo throughput of 3,746,363 tons—a 23.7% increase from December 2023. Container traffic in December 2024 rose to 188,495 TEUs, marking a 23.7% growth from the previous year. Transshipment traffic for the month reached 42,681 TEUs, a 25.8% increase, while transit traffic registered 1,184,541 tons, up by 22.2% from December 2023.
Capt. Ruto attributed this remarkable performance to the dedication of the port’s staff, support from the Board, and enhancements in operational efficiency and infrastructure. The growth in containerized and bulk cargo volumes, along with the port’s strategic positioning as a transshipment hub, has reinforced its status as East Africa’s leading trade gateway.
Looking ahead, the Port of Mombasa remains committed to continuous improvement through investments in equipment modernization, infrastructure development, and operational system upgrades. These efforts aim to accommodate the increasing global trade demands and support the region’s economic growth.
Capt. Ruto expressed gratitude to all industry players and stakeholders, including the Mombasa Port and Northern Corridor Community Charter (MPNCCC) and the Ministry of Roads and Transport, for their continued support. He emphasized the port’s strategic importance in trade facilitation and connectivity throughout the region and expressed optimism about its future as capacity expansion projects progress.
This article was published by the editorial team at FEAFFA. For any enquiries, contact us via Email: editorial@feaffa.com/ freightlogistics@feaffa.com / onionga@feaffa.com Tel: +254733780240
