Lamu Port has strengthened its position as a regional maritime hub after receiving the 366-metre MV Hamouna carrying about 14,500 TEUs…reports Africa Daily News Desk
Kenya’s Port of Lamu recorded a major milestone on Saturday after welcoming MV Hamouna, a 366-metre container vessel, highlighting the port’s deep-water capabilities and its growing importance as a transshipment and regional trade hub along the LAPSSET Corridor.
The vessel arrived carrying approximately 14,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with about 5,200 TEUs scheduled for discharge at Lamu Port. The containers will then be transshipped to various destinations using smaller feeder vessels.
MV Hamouna navigated approximately 14 nautical miles through the Eastern Channel before successfully berthing at the port.
Kenya Ports Authority PLC Managing Director Captain William Ruto said the vessel’s arrival demonstrated Lamu’s growing role as a strategic maritime hub in the region.
“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,” said Captain Ruto.
He added that the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Dangote East Africa Refinery would further boost port operations and create additional opportunities for maritime and logistics services in the region.
Lamu Port’s ability to handle large vessels is supported by its deep-water harbour and modern berthing infrastructure. The port’s berths have a depth of approximately 17.5 metres, allowing vessels with substantial draught requirements to dock.
MV Hamouna is among the largest vessels to call at Lamu Port this year. Earlier, MV Baltimore Express, a 369-metre container vessel operated by German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, also called at the port.
In August 2025, another Hapag-Lloyd vessel, MV Nagoya Express, measuring 335 metres in length, set a previous record for vessel size at Lamu Port.
The latest vessel call further highlights the port’s expanding capacity to handle large container ships and strengthen its role in regional maritime trade.
As part of the traditional maiden-call ceremony, Captain Ruto presented a certificate of first call and a plaque to the vessel’s master, Captain M. Firoozi.
