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| 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.