The Port of Lamu is poised for a significant increase in vessel calls in the coming days, driven by diversions from disrupted Middle East routes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the conflict involving Iran.
This influx is expected to accelerate regional trade and cement the port’s emerging role as a key transshipment hub in East Africa.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Capt. William Ruto, speaking at a media briefing at the port, highlighted early signs of rising cargo volumes and growing confidence from major shipping lines in Lamu’s expanding capabilities. He noted a particular uptick in car carriers selecting Lamu as their destination of choice.
Capt. Ruto presided over the maiden call of MV Grande Florida Palermo, operated by Grimaldi Lines, which docked recently carrying approximately 3,800 motor vehicle units and assorted spare parts. “We are delighted to welcome MV Grande Florida Palermo on its maiden call to Lamu,” he said. “This is yet another affirmation of the trust global operators are placing in our port.”
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This arrival marks the second car carrier within a short period, following sister vessel MV Grande Auckland, which discharged 469 units just a week earlier. The diversions stem from security concerns in key routes like the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, redirecting shipments originally bound for ports such as Jebel Ali in Dubai.
The port has already recorded 74 vessel calls this year to date. In 2025, Lamu achieved a dramatic performance leap, handling 799,161 metric tons of cargo—more than tenfold the 74,380 metric tons recorded in 2024—largely fueled by containerized cargo. Container traffic reached 55,687 TEUs during the period.
With additional shipping lines introducing regular services and more vessels anticipated, including another car carrier expected to offload around 5,000 units next week, officials foresee sustained growth in cargo volumes.
General Manager Capt. Abdulaziz Mzee welcomed Mombasa-based journalists for a port tour, assuring the business community of robust safety and security measures for all cargo.
