Jambo ambalo umesahau ni kuwa meli hizo zinamilikiwa na foreigners na wamiliki hao ndio watakaoamua ni wapi meli hizo zitakapotia nanga. Sasa for economic reasons meli itatoka Europe au Asia na Kutua Lamu na kupakua mizigo na kusepa. Post-panamax haiwezi kuja hadi Dar kwani hio distance kutoka Lamu hadi Dar ni kubwa sana na meli itatumia mafuta nyingi na muda mwingi kuenda hadi Dar. Postpanamax inafika Lamu mwisho.
Kenya banks on Lamu Port to gain regional shipping hub status
SUNDAY OCTOBER 27 2019
Ongoing construction of a second berth at Lamu Port. The first berth was completed by October and is set for official opening in November. PHOTO | TONY KARUMBA | AFP
In Summary
- The first berth of the Lamu Port is set for official opening next month, with Kenya hoping to make it the region’s transshipment hub.
- The strategically located Port of Djibouti already controls transshipment business in the region, with Tanzania’s Bagamoyo port now left to play catch up as Lamu's business comes to life.
- Djibouti currently handles the largest cargo volumes in the region averaging three million tonnes annually.
By ALLAN OLINGO
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Kenya is betting on the multi-billion shilling Lamu Port to upset the power balance along Eastern Africa’s coast, setting Nairobi up for battle with the Port of Djibouti and the planned Bagamoyo harbour in Tanzania.
The first berth of the Ksh32 billion ($320 million ) Lamu Port is set for official opening next month, with Kenya hoping to make it the region’s transshipment hub.
The strategically located Port of Djibouti already controls transshipment business in the region, with Tanzania’s Bagamoyo port, whose takeoff has delayed over contractual concerns, now left to play catch up as Lamu's business comes to life.
Tanzania is also undertaking a $345 million World Bank funded Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project (DSMGP).
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is, in a few weeks, expected to commission the first of the 32 berths of a trans-African Lamu Port, when the first Neo-Panamax ship is expected to dock.
“Lamu will play host to the newest port on the African East coast. The Lamu Port will begin its operations, initially as a transshipment hub for global shipping lines. It will be supported by a special economic zone that is expected to attract investors from across the world, to undertake various economic activities.
New harbour puts Nairobi head-to-head with Tanzania and Djibouti.
www.theeastafrican.co.ke