At least 33 shipping companies are expected to tour the Lamu port in the coming month, as Kenya prepares to commission the operations of its first berth in October.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to officially launch the port’s operations later in October when the first ship is anticipated to make call at the port.

Kenya is said to be in talks with possible operators, including South African logistics giant Transnet SOC.

“The first berth of the port is complete. We are now in the process of acquiring land for a 500-metre-wide corridor that will enable construction of the crude oil pipeline and standard gauge railway. We want to secure the entire corridor for business,” said Lapsset corporate affairs manager Benson Thuita.

COMPETITION

The tour by the shipping lines is part of a Kenya Ports Authority-driven charm offensive to market and position the port as competitive among its regional peers, Djibouti and Port Sudan.

Source: The East African

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