Kenya: The Port of Lamu marked another milestone in its growing profile as a regional trans-shipment hub after the container vessel MV HongKong Bridge that made her maiden call early morning.
Reportedly, the vessel carried 371 TEUs of trans-shipment cargo destined for Dar es Salaam that docked at 6:00 a.m. after a seven-day voyage from Jebel Ali, UAE.
As per the reports, the ship with a Length Overall of 265 meters and 34 meters in breadth, is one of the largest vessels to call at the Port since its inauguration. The arrival of the vessel underscored the increasing strategic importance of the port in East Africa’s maritime logistics.
Moreover, the General Manager of Lamu Port – Eng. Vincent Sidai described the development as a ‘good sign’ for business and expressed the optimism about the growing role of the port in handling the trans-shipment cargo.
GM Sidai stated that the arrival of MV HongKong Bridge demonstrates that the global shipping lines will recognise Lamu as a viable alternative for regional trade. He said they expect more vessels to follow as they continue positioning Lamu as a key gateway for East and Central Africa.
Notably, Lamu Port is a part of LAPSSET Corridor project of Kenya and was designed to complement the Mombasa Port and provide a strategic link to Ethiopia, South Sudan and the wider East African market.
As per the sources, it has faced slow initial uptake in recent months that have seen increased activity with more shipping lines exploring Lamu as a trans-shipment hub.
Whereas, while evolving as a global shipping pattern, Lamu Port in Kenya has shown its ability to attract the trans-shipment cargo that will be critical in determining its long-term success. For now, the arrival of HongKong Bridge is a clear signal that the port is gaining traction in the regional trade network. The arrival has marked a great milestone and has impacted it significantly.