Post: Kisumu port defies tough economic times to post 51.5% growth

Kisumu port has come out of the doldrums to register a 51.5% growth defying a regional economic crunch which has taken a hit on businesses.According to the 2024 half year performance report released by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the port recorded 125, 503 metric tons as compared to 60, 910 tons during the same period last year representing a growth of 64,592 tons.The commodity realized during the period comprised automotive gas oil destined for Uganda (26,186.9 tons), ceramic tiles (3, 603.8 tons), steel billets (3, 217.5 tons) and bagged fertilizer (1,367.0 tons).Gate activity according to the report has also increased with the port realizing a total of 1,126 trucks during the period under review.Vessel calls to the port have also increased with the facility projected to break performance record by surpassing 200,000 metric tons in total cargo throughput.The port posted 116 calls in July this year representing an increase of 63 calls as compared to the same period last year.The vessels registe red during the period under review include MV Uhuru, MT Kabaka Mutebi II, MV Munanka, MV Orion II, MV Mango Tree. and Orion III which have made 3, 9, 1, 6, 1 and 2 calls respectively.MV Uhuru which was revived in 2019 after being grounded for over a decade has capacity of loading 22 wagons and currently ferries steel billets weighing 804.5 tonnes destined for Jinja, Uganda.The first ship assembled in Kenya, MV Uhuru II is expected to make her maiden voyage soon further strengthening the port's capacity to handle more cargo.With a capacity of 1, 800 tonnes (both petroleum and bulk dry cargo), the vessel which has modern engines and cruising speed of 14 knots will be instrumental in evacuating fuel from the Kisumu oil jetty to Port Bell and Jinja ports in Uganda.In the month of July 2024, the port received three trains pulling 46 wagons loaded with 27340 bags of fertilizer.The port which is supported heavily by rail siding operations is projected to witness a beehive of activities given the increased number of trains delivering cargo.Source: Kenya News Agency