The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has reported a 2.3% drop in port performance during the period between July and October 2020 attributed to COVID-19 misfortunes.
KPA General Manager Corporate Services Edward Kamau has revealed that a total of 11.70 million tons of cargo moved through the port against the set target of 11.97 million tons, posting a negative variance of 269 thousand tons.
A survey by the East African Business Council (EABC) notes 51% of the East Africa Community’s exports, Kenya included, are destined to countries highly impacted by COVID-19, while 53% of its imports originate from such highly impacted countries.
According to Kamau there were signs of recovery from the month of November which has since registered a 3.7% growth compared to October.
Containerized cargo has also registered a 6.6% growth as total cargo moving through the port in November increased 3 million tons representing a growth of 2.5%.
He made the remarks during the launch of the second edition of the East Africa Maritime Awards (EAMA) that seeks to recognize and award notable users of the Port of Mombasa whose the second phase of the second container terminal progress is at 60%.
At the same time, Kamau said the Kshs. 40 billion Kipevu Oil Terminal is 75% complete will have a four-vessel capacity, with each vessel being able to hold up to 100,000 dead weight tonnage.
The facility will also have a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) line which is anticipated to stabilize the nation’s supply of gas.
