The arrival of the first shipment of 60,000 tons of fertilizer bound for Ethiopia marks a significant milestone for the Lamu Port, a vital component of the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) project, valued at Sh75 billion.
Ali Mbogo, Chairman of the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority (LCDA), hailed the project as a “symbol of economic revival for Kenya and the wider Eastern Africa region.” With ownership spanning three states, the project is poised to transform the once quiet Lamu archipelago into a bustling economic hub.
The LAPSSET Corridor aims to “enhance connectivity, promote economic integration, and spur socio-economic growth across Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan.” The project encompasses the Port of Lamu, a Standard Gauge Railway, highways, two oil pipelines, three international airports, and three resort cities.
The completion of the first three berths, equipped with modern Ship-to-Shore gantry cranes by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of the Port of Lamu.
Mbogo emphasized the importance of the Lamu Port as an alternative trade route for Kenya, reducing the country’s reliance on the Port of Mombasa, which faces navigational challenges due to its “narrow channel.”
The natural draft of the Port of Lamu, with depths of 18 meters and 21 meters during low and high tides respectively, makes it suitable for post-panamax vessels. This capability enhances its attractiveness for international trade, particularly with Asian markets.
Despite being underutilized since the completion of the first berth in 2019, LCDA successfully convinced Ethiopia to utilize the port due to its shorter distance compared to ports in Djibouti. The route from Lamu to Moyale is 300km shorter than the current route from Djibouti.
The fertilizer shipment to Ethiopia marks the beginning of a potentially lucrative partnership, with more vessels expected to call at the Port of Lamu if the initial consignment proves successful.
Efforts are underway to construct bypasses that will further shorten the distance between Lamu and Moyale, benefiting Ethiopian trade. High-level discussions are also ongoing to bring South Sudan onboard to utilize the Port of Lamu.
Capt. William Ruto, Managing Director of KPA, expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government for choosing the Port of Lamu. He affirmed KPA’s readiness to handle future cargo shipments bound for Ethiopia, highlighting the long-term vision of the LAPSSET corridor project to “promote regional integration and tap into the economic potential of Northern Kenya.”
