​Treasury CS Yattani upbeat on Lamu Port

Lamu – August 22, 2021

The National Treasury and Planning Cabinet Secretary Amb. Ukur Yattani has reiterated the government’s commitment to position the new Port of Lamu as the preferred choice for transshipment cargo.

He urged global shipping lines to continue maximizing on the benefits of the port which is developed to modern standards at par with the most contemporary and best performing ports in the world.

MV Seago Piraeus assisted by KPA tugboats

The CS made the remarks on Saturday at the Port of Lamu when he led shipping fraternity in according a tumultuous reception for Maersk container vessel MV Seago Piraeus on her maiden call at the port.

“This port is capable of comfortably docking panamax and post panamax vessels with a capacity of over 10,000 TEUs. We are encouraging shipping lines to bring vessels to this strategically located facility,” he added.  

Treasury and Planning Cabinet Secretary Amb. Ukur Yattani addressing the media.

He announced that the government will in the next few days send delegations to Ethiopia and South Sudan to market the facility.

The CS lauded the progress registered so far in improvement of infrastructure including the construction of the Garissa -Lamu road  noting that the section from Lamu-Garsen- Malindi was complete making it possible for transport of cargo from Lamu to the rest of the country and beyond.

He at the same time expressed satisfaction saying that with the construction of the Port, Lamu had already started witnessing positive socio-economic benefits including emergence of new businesses and creation of job opportunities.

MV Seago Piraeus is now the third commercial vessel and the fifth ship to dock at the Port since it was operationalized on May 20 this year. The ship which arrived from the Port of Salalah in Oman, discharged 100 TEUs at Lamu Port for onward transshipment to Zanzibar.

The container vessel captained by Birger   Frank Nielsen has a registered length overall (LOA)of 294.1 meters and is  undisputedly the largest ship to dock at the new port.

MV Seago Piraeus Master Captain Birger   Frank Nielsen meets KPA Acting Managing Director Amb. John Mwangemi and National Treasury and Planning CS Amb.Ukur Yattani.

KPA Acting Managing Director Amb. John Mwangemi who accompanied the CS said the evolution of the Port of Lamu is the result of a bold move by the government to plan and ensure that as a country “we are not saddled by the challenges of over reliance on the Port of Mombasa with all its constraints.”

He said the port as planned will not only serve the transshipment market, but all kinds of cargo destined for the hinterland and transit markets.

“The Port of Lamu will eventually be connected by road and rail all the way through the Central Africa to Cameroon thus joining the two Oceans through the middle of Africa,” he added.

The ship's captain Birger Frank Nielsen displays the certificate of first call as he poses for a group photo with Treasury CS Amb. Ukur Yattani, KPA Acting Managing Director Amb. John Mwangemi and officials of Maersk shipping line.

Addressing the media during the function, KRA Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Ms. Lillian Nyawanda, commended the partnership between KPA, KRA, Port Health and other government agencies saying it had hastened clearance of cargo and made the port competitive.

She said all necessary border control measures are in place including the electronic geo-fencing of the Lamu-Garissa-Isiolo-Moyale transit route to ensure tracking of all transit cargo to secure the goods from theft and acts of smuggling.