The Port of Lamu on Thursday evening made maritime history by receiving the MV Nagoya Express, the longest vessel ever to dock in East African waters, further solidifying its position as the region’s premier trans-shipment hub.
The 335-metre container ship, operated by German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd, has officially set a new record as the largest vessel to call at any port in Kenya and across East Africa.
The MV Nagoya Express successfully loaded 140 trans-shipped TEUs destined for New York, cargo that had initially been discharged at Lamu by another Hapag-Lloyd vessel, the MV Tolten.
This landmark arrival underscores Lamu Port’s commitment to facilitating state-of-the-art infrastructure, including its deep-water berths and wide turning basin, which are specifically designed to accommodate ultra-large vessels that cannot be handled at the Port of Mombasa, where turning space is limited to 323 metres.
“This arrival proves Lamu was not built as an afterthought. It was built with vessels like the Nagoya Express in mind,” Lamu Port’s General Manager Capt. Abdulaziz Mzee stated.
The vessel’s master, Capt. Sylwester Mackiewicz, praised the port’s efficiency, stating that he did not expect access to the port to be as smooth, further acknowledging that the entire operation went well.
Capt. Mzee also emphasised that the visit highlights Lamu Port’s growing significance as a strategic trans-shipment hub in East Africa, attributing its success to recent infrastructure upgrades, including high-capacity Ship-to-Shore (STS) gantry cranes.
In another sign of Lamu’s expanding role, CMA CGM vessels are scheduled to call at the port next week, reinforcing its emergence as a regional maritime powerhouse.
By Amenya Ochieng
