The Port of Lamu has recorded another significant milestone after the MV Grande Auckland, a Pure Car Carrier (PCC) with a capacity of 9,000 vehicles, made its maiden call at the facility.
The vessel arrived carrying 469 brand-new motor vehicles manufactured in Europe over the past two years, with discharge operations commencing mid-morning. The cars, originally destined for the Port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates — the largest and busiest port in the Middle East — were rerouted to Lamu for transshipment.
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Port of Lamu General Manager Captain Aziz Mzee officially received the vessel and presented a Certificate of First Call to the ship’s master, Captain Uros Golsuf. Captain Aziz praised Nisomar Shipping Agency Ltd for selecting the Port of Lamu as a transshipment hub, describing the port as “the safest and most economical” option in the Indian Ocean for Middle East-bound cargo.
“The decision to call at the Port of Lamu on the voyage from Europe to Mumbai is quite fulfilling and a show of confidence in the port’s efficiency,” Captain Aziz said. He added that 43 cargo vessels, including container carriers and fishing vessels, have docked at the port since January, bringing the total number of vessels to between 130 and 143 since the port became operational.
Nisomar Shipping Agency’s Chartering and Business Development Manager for Africa, Munir Minas, also spoke at the event, reaffirming the port’s growing reputation. He noted that Lamu ranked highest among considered ports on security for the new vehicles, and that its proximity to the Middle East made it more favourable than Madagascar as an alternative transshipment point on the Europe route.
The MV Grande Auckland was expected to complete discharge operations by Tuesday evening and depart on Wednesday.
