​SPEECH BY THE ACTING MANAGING DIRECTOR ARCH. DANIEL MANDUKU DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MARITIME ECONOMISTS AT PRIDE INN SHANZU ON 12TH SEPTEMBER 2018.

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Transport Infrastructure Housing and Urban Development EGH Mr. James Macharia.

UNCTAD Secretary General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi,

The Governor MombasaCounty H.E Hon. Hassan Joho,

Belgium Ambassador to Kenya, H.E Nicolas Nihon,

IAME President Dr. Jan Hoffman,

Principal Secretaries present,

PMAESA Acting Secretary General Col. Andre Ciseau,

KMA Acting Director General Mr George Macgoye,

Vice Chancellors present,

Distinguished delegates, participants,

Members of the fourth estate,

All protocols observed

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning

I am pleased to welcome you all to the lovely Port city of Mombasa and to the 26th Conference for the International Association of Maritime Economists.Indeed, as Kenya Ports Authority, we are honoured to be the first African port corporation to host this forumin Africa.

I am convinced that this rare gathering will provide ample opportunity for the academics, industry experts and practitioners in this region to interact one on one with their counterparts from other regions and discuss current and future maritime trends.

 Ladies and gentlemen,

Historically, the Port City is a study in the development of trading routes and commercial centres. During the 6th, 9th and 10th centuries, the Jordanians, Persians and Arabs respectively visited the city and established intricate trade routes along the East Africa coastline. The towns along the routes not only flourished but became centres of civilization and their glorious architecture to-date can attest to that.

Today, the Port city of Mombasa remains a regional trade gateway. The history and the future of Mombasa City is intertwined with the Port facility which is managed by Kenya Ports Authority.

At this juncture, therefore, allow me to bring you to the present state of the port facility.

  • The Port of Mombasa is the biggest and busiest port in the eastern and central Africa region providing direct connectivity to over 80 Ports worldwide.
  • The Port is linked to a vast hinterland comprising Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and South Sudan.

     
    Trade volumes
  • In 2017 the Port handled a total throughput of 30.35 million tons.  In container traffic, a total of 1. 190 Million TEUs were handled.
  • In the last five years the growth rate is at 8 per cent   for total throughput and 7.4 percent for container traffic.
  • This year, we project to handle a total throughput of 31.48 million tons and 1.281million TEUS.
  • By 2022 we project to handle total throughput of 41.37 million tons and 1.599 million TEUs.

    Investments

    Ports, especially in Africa, need to increase their investment in infrastructure development to facilitate trade and cope with growing customer demands.

    I am glad to share that we have to a greater extent remained responsive to the needs of the customer.  Accordingly, at the port of Mombasa we have:
  • Completed construction of the first phase of the second container terminal. This phase brings on board an additional capacity of 550,000 TEUs p.a. The construction of phase 2 commenced this month and is expected to be complete by 2021 and will also bring an additional capacity of 450,000 TEUs.
  • Implemented a comprehensive ICT system that includes a terminal operating system and an Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) for back office operations. This, together with the Integrated Security Systems (ISS) and modern cargo handling equipment has greatly improved our operations, cargo clearance procedures and security.
  • Advanced procurement processes towards construction of a modern oil handling facility with the capacity to handle four vessels of up to 100,000 DWT, with a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) line.
  • Progressed construction ofa modern cruise reception facility to boost the cruise tourism sector.
  • Equally and of significance we are constructinga second commercial Port at Lamu to link Kenya with its northern neighbours of South Sudan and Ethiopia via the LAPSSET Corridor. The construction is at 52% complete.
  • We have upgraded the Nairobi ICD facility and expanded its annual capacity from 180,000 TEUs to 450,000 TEUs to complement the SGR.
  • Started plans to develop small ports to complement the two principal ports.

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    As Kenya Ports Authority, we are upbeat about the facilitation of maritime trade. Our resolve to improve on processes, retain our competitiveness and productivity is our key priority. We are therefore looking forward to having fruitful deliberations that will move our maritime industry forward and help us transform our ports for the better.

     

    God bless you.