{
  "id": 11887205,
  "title": "Lamu Port sets cargo record after receiving massive container vessel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/lamu-port-sets-cargo-record-after-receiving-massive-container-vessel",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-04T08:20:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/lamu-port-sets-cargo-record-after-receiving-massive-container-vessel"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 3rd, 2026, the Port of Lamu achieved a significant maritime record when it successfully berthed the 366-metre container vessel Motor Vessel Hamouna. The massive ship carried approximately 14,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with about 5,200 TEUs slated for discharge at the port, subsequently transshipped to various destinations via smaller feeder vessels. The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) shared on their X account that MV Hamouna had navigated through the Eastern Channel, covering approximately 14 nautical miles to berth at Lamu Port.\n\nKPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto highlighted the vessel's arrival as a testament to Lamu's increasing importance in the regional maritime sector. He noted that it marked the first time a vessel had discharged over 5,000 TEUs simultaneously, surpassing even Mombasa Port's capacity. Ruto emphasized, \"This is the first vessel to discharge over 5,000 TEUs at once. Even our Mombasa Port has not surpassed this figure, making Lamu Port the next frontier in the maritime industry.\"\n\nLamu's deep-water harbor, with a depth of approximately 17.5 metres, enables it to accommodate large container vessels, contributing to the port's growing role as a key player in the region. Earlier this year, MV Baltimore Express, a 369-metre container vessel operated by Hapag-Lloyd, also called at the port. In August 2025, MV Nagoya Express, measuring 335 metres, had previously set a vessel-size record at Lamu.\n\nThe KPA's post was accompanied by a certificate of first call and a plaque presented to MV Hamouna's master, Captain M. Firoozi, during the traditional maiden-call ceremony. The port's growing maritime activity was recently underscored by data from the World Shipping Council, which reported a staggering 974 per cent increase in cargo handled at Lamu Port in 2025, compared to 74,380 tonnes in 2024.\n\nThe vessel call came on the heels of the groundbreaking for the planned Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery at Lamu Port. Ruto expressed optimism about the refinery project, stating that it would further enhance port operations and generate additional opportunities for maritime and logistics services in the region, solidifying Lamu's emerging status as a key maritime and industrial hub along the LAPSSET Corridor.",
  "summary": "The Port of Lamu on Saturday, October 3, 2026, recorded another maritime milestone after receiving Motor Vessel (MV) Hamouna, a 366-metre container vessel that arrived carrying approximately 14,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). About 5,200 TEUs are scheduled for discharge at Lamu Port before being transshipped to various destinations using smaller feeder vessels. The arrival further […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}