The Kenya Ports Authority is accelerating an expansion and modernisation programme at the Port of Mombasa to accommodate rising cargo volumes, ease congestion and strengthen its position as a regional trade hub.
The programme includes a Sh19 billion berth expansion, a Sh41.1 billion port development at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and an Sh8.3 billion road infrastructure project aimed at improving cargo movement within and around the port.
The investments came as the Port of Mombasa recorded its highest-ever cargo throughput of 45.45 million tonnes in 2025, up 10 per cent from 40.99 million tonnes in 2024.
Container traffic also rose by 5.5 per cent to 2.11 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), while transit cargo increased by 19.5 per cent to 15.88 million tonnes, reflecting growing demand for the port's services across the region.
KPA chief executive officer Captain William Ruto on Monday said the expansion projects were progressing well as the authority prepared for further growth in cargo volumes.
At the Mombasa port, KPA is constructing berth 19B at a cost of Sh19 billion.
The 240-metre berth, with a 15-metre draft, will accommodate vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes and increase the port's annual handling capacity by 300,000 TEUs.
Captain Ruto said construction was 56 per cent complete, with sections expected to be handed over to the authority before the end of the year to help manage increased cargo volumes during the festive season.
“The progress is going very well. We are extending the berth and creating additional capacity of 300,000 TEUs. At the moment, the progress is around 56 per cent and we are on course,” he said.
KPA is also investing in additional cargo-handling equipment and training staff to improve operational readiness as volumes continue to rise.
A major component of the expansion programme is the development of the port facilities at the Mombasa Special Economic Zone in Dongo Kundu.
The Sh41.1 billion port component involves the construction of seven berths and associated yards covering 1,300 acres within the 3,000-acre SEZ.
Construction of the first multi-purpose berth, measuring 300 metres, began in October 2025 and is scheduled for completion in December 2028.
Captain Ruto said construction progress had reached 23 per cent, while work on the yard was about 50 per cent complete.
The Dongo Kundu development is expected to support increased maritime trade and strengthen the link between port operations and economic activities within the special economic zone.
KPA is also undertaking an Sh8.3 billion road infrastructure project to improve connectivity between the port, Gates 18 and 20, Kipevu Road and the wider Northern Corridor.
The project is intended to ease traffic congestion, improve safety and speed up the movement of cargo between the port and inland destinations.
Captain Ruto said the roadworks were 58 per cent complete and were expected to be finished by mid-2027.
The infrastructure expansion is being complemented by investments in technology and maritime safety to improve the efficiency of existing facilities.
In July, KPA unveiled a Sh1 billion Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) to improve vessel monitoring and turnaround times.
The system integrates radar surveillance, real-time vessel tracking, marine communications, weather monitoring and oil-spill detection across three operational sites: the Vessel Traffic Services Control Tower, Ras Serani Signal Station and Shimanzi Oil Terminal Radar Site.
KPA has also completed a smart gate at Gate 24 to automate port entry and exit procedures, reduce manual processes and ease congestion around the facility.
“That smart gate initiative is what we learned from other ports, in terms of how to automate our ports and lessen the manual interfaces that we have always been doing,” Captain Ruto said.
Additional maritime investments include a new search-and-rescue helicopter and three tugboats valued at approximately Sh1.5 billion to Sh1.6 billion.
