Lamu Port Sees Surge in Traffic as Red Sea Route Disrupted

The Port of Lamu in Kenya is experiencing a surge in activity as shipping lines divert vessels away from the Red Sea, following disruptions to movement through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. The port has received 74 vessels so far this year, representing roughly a third of all ships handled since it opened in 2021, according to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Before the recent escalation of maritime tensions, Lamu struggled to attract consistent traffic. Ethiopia, a major inland nation, primarily relies on Djibouti’s port, whereas established road and rail links to Uganda and the wider region have favored Mombasa. Located approximately 340 kilometers (210 miles) north of Mombasa, Lamu’s recent uptick in activity marks a significant shift.

The change is driven by constraints on access to Dubai’s Jebel Ali, a major container port, forcing shipping lines to avoid the Red Sea and take longer routes around southern Africa. Lamu is proving to be a convenient stopover for vessels making this detour.

One example is the Grande Florida Palermo, operated by the Grimaldi Group, which recently docked at Lamu carrying approximately 3,800 vehicles from Yokohama, Japan, originally destined for Saudi Arabia. The vessel, capable of carrying up to 9,000 cars, is among several now rerouting through the Kenyan port. Another ship carrying hundreds of vehicles recently made a stop, and a third vessel transporting over 5,000 cars is expected to arrive in the coming days, port officials have stated.

“The Port of Lamu is geared up for a spike in vessel calls in the coming days,” the KPA said in a statement posted on X. “This development is expected to inject fresh momentum into regional trade and strengthen the port’s position as a leading transshipment hub in the region.”

LAPSSET, the agency overseeing the broader transport corridor that includes the port, reports growing interest. “Lamu Port is expecting more vessels to divert, as several shipping agents have already inquired about docking space,” the agency said.

Lamu Port was originally conceived as a key component of the ambitious LAPSSET corridor, a regional infrastructure project intended to connect Kenya with Ethiopia and South Sudan through a network of roads, railways, pipelines, and airports. However, progress on the LAPSSET project has been slow, with only three of the planned 32 berths completed at a cost of around $480 million.

Security concerns have likewise presented challenges. Located approximately 100 kilometers from the Somalia border, the port has faced threats from al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group.