Updated September 25, 2025:
The Mombasa Port congestion mitigation initiative is a Ksh147 million project aimed at improving cargo flow and enhancing overall efficiency at Kenya’s main maritime gateway. The project focuses on addressing rising cargo volumes recorded over the past year, which have raised operational concerns regarding future capacity.
As part of this initiative, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has commenced various activities, including the construction of Berth 19B and the rollout of equipment modernization programmes. Recently, Lamu Port received its first conventional cargo vessel, Mv Van Melody, which offloaded 129 coils intended for the production of precast piles for the new berth.
According to KPA management, additional upgrades such as new terminal operating systems and continued development at Lamu Port—which has handled 32 ships in recent operations—form part of broader efforts to enhance service delivery across Kenya’s port infrastructure.
Other than the Mombasa port, Tanzania is also making advancements in the Bagamoyo port project. Tanzania is set to break ground on the $10 billion Bagamoyo port project in December according to official reports. Once complete, the project will be East Africa’s largest maritime infrastructure project, a monumental feat. Furthermore, it will end a decade of delays due to government objections to the initial contract terms. The terms had been agreed upon between the government and foreign developers. The port is part of the large-scale special economic zone initiative involving industrial parks and rail road links. It is located about 75 kilometers (47 miles) north of the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
State of Affairs Regarding Mombasa Port Expansion Project
A recent visit to Mombasa Port berth 19B found that heavy machinery mounted on barges were preparing ground. These included demolishing old concrete piles that held the old terminal to allow for erecting new piles for the container berth. The upcoming berth is an extension of berth 19 which was constructed way back in 2016. The new KOT was built offshore at a cost of Ksh40 billion. KPA Managing director Captain William Ruto and China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) signed an agreement on the berth’s implementation in March. The draft of the new quay is 12.2 meters.
The structure is an open piled suspended structure-steel piles with a concrete deck. The project also includes design of crane rails for ship to shore gantry cranes weighing 980 tonnes with a rail gauge of 27.45 meters. Moreover, it will enable the establishment of about five hectares of adjacent container stacking areas for rubber tired transtainer gantry cranes. Once complete, berth 19B will provide an additional capacity of 300,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEU). Moreover, it will strengthen Mombasa port’s position as a gateway to East and Central Africa. This comes amid rising competition from the port of Dar es Salaam which recently invested $1 billion in the port’s expansion. The new berth measures 240 meters long.
Project factsheet
Significance:
- $147 million project aimed at reducing congestion and boosting cargo handling capacity.
- Expected to add 300,000 TEU capacity, strengthening Mombasa as East Africa’s primary deep-water port.
- Enhances competitiveness against regional rivals like Dar es Salaam.
Infrastructure:
- Construction of Berth 19B, an extension of Berth 19 (built in 2016).
- 240m long quay with a 12.2m draft, designed for larger cargo vessels.
- Includes crane rail systems for 980-tonne gantry cranes, 5 hectares of stacking area, and modernized terminal systems.
Developer/Consortium:
- Project led by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
- Implemented through an agreement with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
- Supported by modernization initiatives including equipment upgrades and new operating systems.
Funding/Timeline:
- Estimated cost: $147 million (Ksh 40 billion).
- Agreement signed in March 2025; groundwork already underway.
- Completion expected to align with increased cargo demand in coming years.
Challenges:
- Rising cargo volumes risk overwhelming current facilities before project completion.
- Increasing competition from Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Port.
- Environmental concerns due to pile demolition and marine works
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is investing $122.030 million (Sh15.7 billion) to upgrade the Port of Mombasa, aiming to handle medium-sized container ships and increase its capacity. The project includes a new berth and system improvements already in progress.
Mombasa port expansion and increased capacity
The new Berth 19B will support ships of 45,000 Deadweight Tonnage, with a depth of 13.5 metres and a length of 240 metres. It will add 300,000 containers (TEUs) to the port’s annual capacity. KPA boss Captain William Ruto ealier said this will help meet growing demand, as bigger ships are now common on the East African coast.
This follows a strong year for the port. In 2024, it handled 41.1 million tons of cargo, up 14.1% from 35.98 million tons in 2023. Container traffic broke records, reaching 2,005,076 TEUs—a 23.5% rise from 1,623,080 TEUs in 2023.
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Imports grew by 7.2% to 768,088 TEUs
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Exports increased by 6.6% to 731,934 TEUs
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Transit cargo for regional countries jumped 17.4% to 13.4 million tons
Ruto said.
This shows our ability to manage rising trade despite global challenges.
READ ALSO: World Bank Invests $200 Million in Tanzania’s Dodoma Integrated and Sustainable Transport Project
Infrastructure improvements and competitive edge
The Terminal Operating System (TOS) upgrade, which began in January 2025, is also boosting capacity. KPA is partnering with the Japan International Development Agency (JICA) to build Berth 23 under the Mombasa Port Development Project (MPDP). This 300-metre berth will have a yard capacity of 500,000 TEUs.
These upgrades will create jobs during construction and increase government revenue from extra cargo. Despite competition from Dar es Salaam port, Mombasa’s location and ongoing improvements keep it as East Africa’s leading maritime hub. Over the 2024 festive season, the port managed 41 vessels in 14 days, with more expected.
