The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is undertaking a major infrastructure expansion project at the Port of Mombasa aimed at boosting cargo handling capacity and improving operational efficiency at East Africa’s busiest maritime gateway.
KPA said construction of Berth 19B, a 240-metre quay extension, is progressing as part of efforts to accommodate the growing volume of cargo passing through the port.
The new berth will have a draft of 15 metres, enabling it to handle larger container vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnage.
“As cargo flows through East Africa’s busiest maritime gateway continue to steadily rise, Kenya Ports Authority is pushing forward with a critical infrastructure projects designed to keep pace with this demand. One of these projects is Berth 19B, a major quay extension currently under construction at the Port of Mombasa,”KPA said in a statement on their social media.
According to the authority, the facility is designed to meet the increasing demand from shipping lines operating larger vessels that require deeper channels and extended berthing space for efficient operations.
Once completed, Berth 19B is expected to add an annual handling capacity of 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), easing pressure on existing facilities and reducing vessel waiting times.
The project also includes dredging works to deepen the navigation channel, expansion of container storage yards, construction of a quay wall, and development of supporting infrastructure to integrate the new berth with existing port operations.
KPA noted that the investment forms part of a broader strategy to modernize port infrastructure and position the Port of Mombasa to meet future trade and logistics demands in the region.
The authority expressed confidence that the expansion will enhance the port’s competitiveness, improve cargo movement efficiency, and strengthen Mombasa’s role as a key gateway for regional and international trade.