The Lamu Port, previously viewed as grossly underutilized is now transitioning to a growing regional transshipment hub with vessels calling and cargo volumes increasing significantly in 2025. The port saw a sharp rise in ship arrivals in 2025, doubling cargo ship numbers by August, with over 100 vessels calling since its 2021 commissioning.
The Lamu port is leveraging on its capacity to handle large vessels attracting major shipping lines by offering deep berths for vessels like the MV Nagoya Express, playing its role as a primary gateway for landlocked Ethiopia and South Sudan.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto has described the strong performance of the Port of Lamu as a cornerstone of the LAPSSET Corridor Project.
On Thursday 7 December, 2025 the port made maritime history by receiving the MV Nagoya Express, the longest vessel ever to dock in East African waters, further strengthening its position as the region’s premier trans-shipment hub.
The 335-metre container ship, operated by German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd, has officially set a new record as the largest vessel to call at any port in Kenya and across East Africa.
The MV Nagoya Express successfully loaded 140 trans-shipped TEUs destined for New York, cargo that had initially been discharged at Lamu by another Hapag-Lloyd vessel, the MV Tolten.
This landmark arrival underscores Lamu Port’s commitment to facilitating state-of-the-art infrastructure, including its deep-water berths and wide turning basin, which are specifically designed to accommodate ultra-large vessels that cannot be handled at the Port of Mombasa, where turning space is limited to 323 metres.
Shipping companies, both regional and global are clearly taking note of Lamu’s expanding capacity, modern infrastructure, and strategic location along the busy East African maritime corridor.
Lamu was planned as a key component of the Lamu Port–South Sudan–Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, a flagship project aimed at transforming regional connectivity.
The aim was to ease pressure on Mombasa Port, open new trade routes to landlocked neighbors, and catalyze development in northern Kenya.
Among the vessels that have called at the Lamu port from October include MV CHANCE, MV ONEGO BURAN, MV ESL OMAN, MV MYNY, MV CMA CGM SUEZ, MV CMA CGM DAVAO, MV CMA CGM DEBUSSY, and MV CMA CGM FUZHOU.
Handling substantial transshipment cargo, with growing volumes moving to/from Asia, the Gulf, and regional destinations like Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.
The Lamu port handles a variety of cargo including bulk cargo both dry and liquid, containerized cargo, general cargo and vehicles. Examples of dry cargo include agricultural products like fertilizer, which was a significant initial consignment for transit to Ethiopia
According to the port vision, the long-term plan for the port includes facilities to handle crude and refined oil and oil products, with an oil pipeline planned as part of the LAPSSET corridor project.
Factsheet
Lamu Port handled 37,576 metric tonnes of cargo in 2023, a significant increase from around 6,539 tonnes in 2022, primarily consisting of transshipment cargo, with recent highlights including the arrival of large fertilizer shipments for Ethiopia, pointing to growth.
