Kenya: Global shipping line CMA CGM has pledged to deepen its collaboration with the Kenya Ports Authority, reaffirming the company’s continued commitment to supporting KPA’s operations and strategic objectives.
Reportedly, the Company’s Vice President and Regional Director for Africa – Adeline Giballaud, made the remarks during the visit to the Port of Mombasa. There she held talks with KPA General Manager Cargo Operations – Dr. Sudi Mwasinago, who represented Chief Executive Officer Capt. William Ruto.
The meeting was mainly focused on ways to enhance the long‑standing relationship between the two organisations, with both sides. They expressed interest in working together to streamline port operations and improve efficiency along the regional supply chain.
Giballaud further expressed satisfaction with the sustained growth and operational efficiency of the Port of Mombasa. She praised the strong collaboration and partnership between CMA CGM and KPA. She pointed out the ongoing engagements at the Port of Mombasa and Lamu Port and within the Special Economic Zones. She also discussed about the forthcoming port infrastructure development projects. She further welcomed upcoming port modernisation projects and said that they would boost efficiency and will create new opportunities for partnership.
Giballaud underscored Kenya’s strategic importance to the shipping line. Her remarks signalled a broader ambition to strengthen the company’s role in the region’s logistics sector, that leveraged both Port of Mombasa and Lamu as key hubs.
On his part, Dr. Sudi Mwasinago said that the Authority had invested heavily in improving service delivery and upgraded critical infrastructure. He noted that CMA CGM has been instrumental in driving exponential growth in transshipment volumes, particularly through its dedicated regular service to the Port of Lamu. He assured the CMA CGM delegation that KPA was prepared to meet rising demand as cargo volumes increase across the East African region.
According to Mwasinago, the collaboration has translated into significant business gains for KPA, with an upward trajectory in cargo volumes which is expected to hold steady through the end of the year. They have strengthened the systems and expanded capacity to ensure that they meet the needs of the customers.
Giballaud notes that her company’s ambition is to increase their presence in the region, and Kenya is central to that strategy. It is emphasising the line’s focus on providing ample capacity to match the country’s growing trade demands through increased vessel calls.
In response to the sustained growth, KPA assured stakeholders of ongoing infrastructure upgrades that aim at enhancing capacity and service quality.
The priority projects include construction of Berth 19B, now 30% is complete; Dongo Kundu Berth One, at 5% completion; and rehabilitation of berths 1-10 and 11-14, which will see the strengthening, straightening, and deepening of the channel to accommodate vessels of up to 80,000 deadweight tonnage.
The Authority is also upgrading the Terminal Operating System, as part of other modernisation efforts. With these developments, the authority said it is well-positioned to meet anticipated demand while maintaining it well.