The port of Mombasa had a great year in 2024. It handled more cargo than ever before. The total amount was 41.1 million tonnes. That's 14.1% more than in 2023.
The number of containers also broke records. For the first time in over ten years, the port handled more than 2 million TEUs. TEU stands for "twenty-foot equivalent unit." It's a way to measure containers. In 2024, the port dealt with 2,005,076 TEUs, which is 23.5% higher than the year before.
William Ruto is in charge of the Kenya Ports Authority. He said the port did well because of more imports and exports. Imports went up 7.2%, and exports rose 6.6%. The amount of cargo going to other countries also jumped 17.4%, reaching 13.4 million tonnes.
Most of the cargo that passes through Mombasa goes to Uganda, which accounts for 65.7% of this transit cargo. In 2024, 8.8 million tonnes went to Uganda, which is 23.8% more than in 2023.
Other important countries for transit cargo are South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
The port also saw a big jump in transshipment traffic. Transshipment is when cargo is switched from one ship to another at the port. In 2024, 491,666 TEUs were transhipped. That's 132.9% more than in 2023. Mr. Ruto said this happened because some ships were diverted from the Red Sea. The port of Mombasa also got faster at handling cargo.
December 2024 was a particularly busy month. The port handled 3.7 million tonnes of cargo. That's 23.7% more than in December 2023.
Mr. Ruto credited the port's success to upgrades in equipment and infrastructure. He said the port is committed to expanding and modernizing even more.
The port of Mombasa plays a crucial role in trade for East Africa. Its strong performance shows its importance to the region.
The number of containers also broke records. For the first time in over ten years, the port handled more than 2 million TEUs. TEU stands for "twenty-foot equivalent unit." It's a way to measure containers. In 2024, the port dealt with 2,005,076 TEUs, which is 23.5% higher than the year before.
William Ruto is in charge of the Kenya Ports Authority. He said the port did well because of more imports and exports. Imports went up 7.2%, and exports rose 6.6%. The amount of cargo going to other countries also jumped 17.4%, reaching 13.4 million tonnes.
Most of the cargo that passes through Mombasa goes to Uganda, which accounts for 65.7% of this transit cargo. In 2024, 8.8 million tonnes went to Uganda, which is 23.8% more than in 2023.
Other important countries for transit cargo are South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
The port also saw a big jump in transshipment traffic. Transshipment is when cargo is switched from one ship to another at the port. In 2024, 491,666 TEUs were transhipped. That's 132.9% more than in 2023. Mr. Ruto said this happened because some ships were diverted from the Red Sea. The port of Mombasa also got faster at handling cargo.
December 2024 was a particularly busy month. The port handled 3.7 million tonnes of cargo. That's 23.7% more than in December 2023.
Mr. Ruto credited the port's success to upgrades in equipment and infrastructure. He said the port is committed to expanding and modernizing even more.
The port of Mombasa plays a crucial role in trade for East Africa. Its strong performance shows its importance to the region.
