FILE PHOTO | NMG
The Mombasa port has recorded increased cargo destined to Tanzania, South Sudan and the DRC Congo while Uganda’s consignments declined in the first four months of this year.
Mombasa port also surpassed its April target for cargo destined to South Sudan and DRC Congo by 35.8 percent and 20.8 percent respectively despite shipping industry grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the period, the Port of Mombasa surpassed its transshipment target of 600 metric tonnes for the first four months by 6.8 percent which is attributed to increased number of shipping lines making direct call from Asia.
In the past one month, three vessels from the world’s largest shipping lines have made their maiden call at the port with more than 5,000 containers each as the number of vessels docking at the facility increased from an average of 20 in April to 31 in May and first week of June.
In the deal between Maersk and Cosco signed on May 21 this year, the two shipping lines will ensure a dedicated service for both Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam ports.
