Mombasa Port Records 133% Surge in Traffic as Red Sea Crisis Diverts Global Shipping Routes
The Port of Mombasa has recorded an unprecedented 133 percent surge in transshipment traffic following global disruptions in the Red Sea, cementing its status as East Africa’s leading maritime hub. According to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the port handled 491,666 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, up from 211,073 TEUs the previous year—an increase of 280,593 containers. The spike in activity was largely driven by vessel diversions as international shipping lines sought alternative routes to avoid militant attacks in the Red Sea, which have destabilized one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
KPA Managing Director William Ruto attributed the growth to Kenya’s strategic coastal location and recent investments in port modernization. He noted that Mombasa’s upgraded terminals and expanded cargo handling capacity made it an attractive transshipment hub for major global carriers. The port also reported a sharp increase in total cargo throughput, rising from 35.98 million tons in 2023 to 41.1 million tons in 2024. Much of the new traffic involved containerized and bulk cargo destined for neighboring countries, demonstrating the port’s growing role in regional trade.
Uganda remained the leading transit destination, accounting for 65.7 percent of all cargo that passed through Mombasa last year—an estimated 8.8 million tons, marking a 23.8 percent increase from 2023. Other key beneficiaries of the traffic surge included South Sudan (12.7%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (11.8%), Rwanda (5.1%), and Tanzania (3.4%). In December 2024 alone, the port handled 3.7 million tons of cargo, with container traffic rising by 24 percent compared to the same month the previous year. Shipping experts say this demonstrates Mombasa’s capacity to absorb redirected trade flows during global crises.
As vessel arrivals continue to rise, the government and KPA are prioritizing further upgrades to sustain efficiency and competitiveness. Plans are underway to expand berths, modernize cargo handling systems, and deepen channels to accommodate larger vessels. Maritime analysts believe the current momentum could position Mombasa as a long-term transshipment center for the Indian Ocean region—boosting Kenya’s economy through increased port revenue, job creation, and enhanced regional connectivity.