Kenya Ports Authority advances Berth 19B project, adds 240m quay at Mombasa
The Berth 19B project involves extensive dredging and yard expansion to ensure the seaport remains a competitive gateway for regional commerce.
KENYA – The Kenya Ports Authority is advancing construction of Berth 19B at the Port of Mombasa, adding 240 metres of quay length with a 15-metre draft to accommodate container vessels of up to 45,000 deadweight tonnes.
The new berth is designed to modern port standards, allowing larger ships to dock more efficiently, improving operational flexibility, and reducing delays.
Capacity Expansion and Congestion Relief
Upon completion, Berth 19B is expected to increase the port’s annual handling capacity by 300,000 TEUs. The additional capacity will help ease congestion at existing berths, accelerate vessel turnaround times, and improve cargo flow through the port.
The project includes construction of the quay wall, dredging the channel to increase depth, expansion of the container yard, and development of supporting infrastructure to integrate with existing terminal operations.
For fresh produce exporters and logistics operators, reduced vessel turnaround times shorten waiting periods for reefer containers at the port. The 300,000 TEU capacity increase provides additional slots for refrigerated cargo shipments of avocados, tea, coffee, and flowers through East Africa’s busiest seaport.
Technical Specifications and Regional Competitiveness
The Berth 19B project involves extensive dredging and yard expansion to ensure the seaport remains a competitive gateway for regional commerce. The 15-metre draft allows the port to accommodate larger container vessels that previously had to use alternative ports because of depth constraints. Larger vessels offer economies of scale, reducing per-unit shipping costs for exporters.
KPA views the investment as part of its long-term strategy to expand capacity ahead of future demand and to strengthen the Port of Mombasa’s role as a leading logistics and trade hub for East Africa. The development is expected to enhance the port’s competitiveness and support regional trade growth and supply chain efficiency.
Strategic Importance for Landlocked Neighbours
The Port of Mombasa is the primary maritime gateway for landlocked East African countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan. Berth 19B’s increased capacity and efficiency directly benefit these nations by reducing import transit times and improving export competitiveness.
As KPA advances this project alongside other modernization efforts, the Port of Mombasa reinforces its status as a vital economic hub for East Africa, supporting regional trade growth and supply chain efficiency for fresh-produce exporters and logistics operators across the continent.
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