LAMU PORT RECIEVES BIGGER SHIP

Mv Baltimore at Lamu Port, Kenya

Lamu Port has recorded history, becoming the first port in East and Central Africa to receive the largest vessel ever to dock in the region.

The vessel at the center of this milestone is the MV Baltimore Express, a massive 369-meter container ship operated by German shipping line Hapag-Lloyd, which pulled into port on Sunday evening from Oman's Salalah Port.

“In a historic feat, the Port of Lamu on Sunday evening welcomed the largest vessel ever to dock at any Port in East and Central Africa,” stated KPA (Kenya's Port Authority)

The port sits in a naturally deep harbour with a depth of 17.5 meters, allowing even the largest ships in the world to sail straight in with little to no seabed clearance, something most African ports simply cannot offer.

This record is not an isolated incident, as per KPA. In August 2025, a sister vessel, the MV Nagoya Express, a 335-meter container ship, set the previous record at Lamu.

Many competing ports across Africa spend heavily on dredging just to keep their seabeds deep enough for large ships. 

Lamu Port's advantages over the other ports have enabled it to handle over 120 vessels since the start of 2026, with more expected in the coming days. KPA is also investing in new cranes, terminal tractors, and other equipment, expected later this year, to further position the port for greater milestones.

CMA CGM SHIPPING LINE TO EXPAND MOMBASA PORT- KENYA

 

French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM is set to invest 700 million euros (Ksh106 billion) to modernise and expand terminals at the Port of Mombasa under a new agreement signed with the Kenyan government.

The investment deal was announced on Monday, May 11, during the ongoing Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi in the presence of President William Ruto and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The project will focus on renovating and upgrading two terminals at the Port of Mombasa as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

CMA CGM said the partnership is aimed at expanding port capacity, modernising freight management systems and improving inland logistics networks linking Kenya to the wider East and Central African region.

SOMALIA STARTS SHIP REGISTRY & FLAG SAIL

Somalia has taken a crucial step towards ensuring vessels bearing its flag sail internationally with the signing of an agreement to establish the Somali Ship Registry system.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Somalia’s Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport and a privately owned company, Somali Ship Register Limited, on Sunday in Mogadishu.

In a statement, the ministry said the partnership aims to create a "formal national ship registration framework, enabling vessels to operate internationally under the Somali flag."

It emphasised that this initiative represents a "decisive step" towards the development and modernisation of Somalia’s maritime sector to boost its presence in global shipping.

According to a statement released by the ministry, the agreement was signed by Minister Nur and Çağdaş Oykun Saltaş, General Manager of Somali Ship Register Limited.

"Today, I had the honour of signing an important Memorandum of Understanding to establish Somalia’s ship registry, to offer Somali flag to ships, through a privately owned company. This milestone reflects our strong commitment to advancing and modernising our maritime sector," Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, said after the signing ceremony.

"Through this agreement, we are opening new doors for investment, job creation, and improved efficiency by leveraging private sector expertise. It is a strategic step towards strengthening governance and enhancing Somalia’s competitiveness in the global shipping industry," he added.

Minister Nur expressed confidence that the move will "support sustainable economic growth and position Somalia as a credible and reliable maritime hub. We remain committed to building a stronger future for our nation."

Somalia has been making efforts in recent years to increase its presence on the global stage as it rebuilds from years of armed conflict and natural disasters.