Port of Mombasa sets new container discharge record
The Port of Mombasa has set a new container-handling record after a dedicated team discharged 863 containers from a single vessel in one shift, before completing the entire 1,005-container operation in just one and a half shifts.
The milestone was achieved on Monday during the handling of the MV Aniello, which was berthed at Berth No. 22 after being piloted through the Kilindini Channel by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Chief Executive Officer Capt. William Ruto.
Operations began at about 3pm, with vessel planners, crane operators, truck drivers, yard personnel and supervisors working in coordinated teams to maximise cargo-handling efficiency and reduce the vessel’s turnaround time.
Working in four teams, the port employees maintained a continuous workflow throughout the operation.
By 11pm, they had discharged 863 containers in a single shift, surpassing the port’s previous record and setting a new benchmark for container-handling productivity at Mombasa.
The operation continued overnight, with the remaining containers cleared by 2:40am the following day.
All 1,005 containers aboard the MV Aniello had therefore been discharged within approximately 11 hours and 40 minutes from the start of operations.
Capt. Ruto attributed the achievement to investments in modern cargo-handling equipment, a skilled and motivated workforce, technology-driven operational systems and continuous process improvements.
He said the combination of these factors had significantly enhanced productivity and efficiency at the container terminal.
The latest performance comes as ports globally face growing pressure to handle rising trade volumes while reducing vessel turnaround times.
For shipping lines, faster turnaround can help lower operating costs, improve schedule reliability and enhance service delivery across increasingly complex global supply chains.
The new record therefore highlights the Port of Mombasa’s growing capacity to handle large volumes of cargo within shorter periods.
It also strengthens the port’s competitiveness as a key gateway for Kenya and the wider East and Central African region, as it seeks to attract more cargo and shipping lines.
The achievement underscores KPA’s broader push to improve operational efficiency and position Mombasa as a competitive hub for regional and international maritime trade.
