Kenya’s Port of Mombasa handled a record 45.45m metric tonnes of cargo in January–December 2025, up 10.9% year on year, driven by higher container flows and a sharp rise in transit volumes across the national port network, according to the Kenya Ports Authority “Port performance outlook” update.
Container traffic climbed to 2.11m teu from 2.00m teu in 2024, while total cargo throughput increased by 4.46m metric tonnes from 40.99m metric tonnes a year earlier.
Managing director Capt. William Ruto said operational improvements alongside rising regional demand underpinned the growth.
“Cargo volumes through the Port of Mombasa have continued to grow, supported by improved operational efficiency and rising regional demand.”
Transit cargo rose 19.5% to 15.88m metric tonnes in 2025 from 13.29m metric tonnes in 2024, reinforcing Mombasa’s role as East Africa’s main gateway for regional trade flows.
Beyond Mombasa, throughput at the Port of Lamu surged to 799,161 metric tonnes in 2025 from 74,380 metric tonnes a year earlier, while container handling reached 55,687 teu over the period.
The authority said capacity expansion and digital upgrades remain central to its strategy, highlighting works around berths 19B, 23 and 24, terminal operating system modernisation and gate automation aimed at lifting efficiency and throughput.
Kenya Ports Authority is a state-owned statutory agency responsible for the management, development and regulation of Kenya’s public seaports and associated maritime services. Its mandate covers port operations, marine services, infrastructure development and trade facilitation at major gateways including Mombasa and the newer Port of Lamu.
