The Lamu Port has cemented its role in the maritime trade within the region by welcoming the MV Nagoya Express, the largest vessel ever to dock at the waters of East Africa.
The 335-metre-long ship, owned by German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd, is the biggest ever in Kenya’s maritime history. Its arrival is a significant milestone in Lamu’s quest to be a major transshipment center bridging Africa to trade corridors with Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
During its stopover, the Nagoya Express loaded 140 transshipped containers bound for New York. The cargo had initially been offloaded at Lamu by another Hapag-Lloyd vessel, the MV Tolten.
Port managers say such operations are part of a growing strategy to capture more of the high-value transhipment market, particularly for ultra-large vessels that Mombasa’s limited turning space cannot accommodate.
“This arrival proves Lamu was not built as an afterthought. It was built with vessels like the Nagoya Express in mind,” said Captain Abdulaziz Mzee, Lamu Port’s General Manager, noting the port’s deep-water berths and wide turning basin as critical assets.
Master Captain Sylwester Mackiewicz of the vessel praised the ease of access and handling capabilities of the port, referring to the experience as better than expected.
The Kenya Ports Authority has invested heavily in Lamu’s infrastructure, such as high-capacity Ship-to-Shore gantry cranes, to attract more foreign shipping lines.
Industry analysts further point out that the arrival of CMA CGM ships next week will further establish the port as a competitive alternative to Mombasa for regional and foreign cargo.
The post Lamu Port Makes Waves as Mega Ships Dock with Ease appeared first on Bossnana.
