The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has marked a significant milestone with the completion of the Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County, signaling a strategic shift in its operations towards enhancing the country’s blue economy. The port, constructed over a 36-month period by Southern Engineering Company (SECO), was officially handed over to KPA and is set to bolster the fisheries value chain and local economic growth.
The modern facility is equipped with key infrastructure, including a jetty capable of handling 200 tons of fish daily, fish processing units, cold storage, and ice-making machines with a daily capacity of 8 tons. It is projected to create over 1,000 employment opportunities, especially for the youth, and attract investment in the fisheries sector.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto hailed the project as a testament to the ability of local contractors to deliver on large-scale infrastructural developments. He emphasized that the Shimoni Fish Port represents a deliberate diversification of KPA’s operations, moving beyond traditional cargo handling to embrace specialized maritime infrastructure that supports sustainable ocean resource utilization.
“The completion of Shimoni Fish Port aligns with our vision to drive economic growth through investment in infrastructure that supports the blue economy. This port will serve as a hub for fish landing, processing, and value addition, creating opportunities for local communities and enhancing food security,” Captain Ruto stated.
KPA now plans to invite international companies to operationalize the facility within the next 3 to 6 months, as part of efforts to enhance its utilization and spur regional economic development.
Meanwhile, the Port of Mombasa continues to perform strongly, registering a 14% growth in cargo throughput in 2024, reaching 40.99 million metric tonnes. Container traffic also rose by 24%, hitting 2.005 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). The positive momentum has extended into 2025, with 21.3 million metric tonnes of cargo and over 1 million TEUs handled in the first half of the year.
President William Ruto is expected to officially commission the Shimoni Fish Port at a later date, reinforcing the government’s commitment to unlocking the potential of Kenya’s blue economy.
