By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, June 07, 2026 - The Kenya Ports Authority is constructing a new berth at the Port of Mombasa to accommodate growing cargo volumes and larger vessels.
In a statement on Sunday, the authority said that the construction of Berth 19B is part of a broader strategy to increase investment in critical port infrastructure and position the Port of Mombasa as the leading trade hub in the region.
According to the authority, the new berth will add 240 metres of quay length and a draft of 15 metres, which will enable it to handle container vessels of up to approximately 45,000 deadweight tonnage.
The enhanced capacity is specifically designed to accommodate the growing number of larger ships seeking access to the port, enabling more efficient berthing and turnaround operations.
Once completed, the project is set to provide an additional handling capacity of 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, according to the authority.
“The project’s scope includes quay wall construction, dredging to deepen the channel, container yard expansion, and supporting port infrastructure designed to integrate seamlessly with current terminal systems,” KPA stated.
“Kenya Ports Authority has framed the development as part of a broader strategic push to invest in port infrastructure ahead of demand, reinforcing the Port of Mombasa's position as the region’s preferred logistics and trade hub,” it added.
Serving as the largest Port in East Africa and among the largest on the continent, the Port of Mombasa is a vital, high-volume gateway connecting over 80 global ports to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
The Port, which currently features 22 active berths, receives between 40 and 55 vessels over 14 days, which comprise mostly container ships, oil tankers, and conventional cargo vessels.
In 2025 alone, the port handled a record 45.45 million metric tons of cargo.
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