Construction of the Sh31 billion second container terminal at the port of Mombasa is ahead of schedule and could be completed by next year. Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau said the project, whose first phase was scheduled for completion by 2016, could be completed by next year with 62 per cent of work already done. “Construction of the second container terminal is already at 62 per cent as opposed to 57 per cent, which means it is ahead of schedule and could be completed by 2015 despite the fact that the completion time was set for 2016,” said Kamau on Wednesday when he toured the project site in Mombasa.

The CS also toured other infrastructure projects at the Coast including refurbishment of the Moi International Airport, construction of the 1.3 kilometre link between the airport and Dongo Kundu bypass as well as the construction of a dual carriage from the port to Miritini. He said completion of the terminal and other ongoing port upgrade efforts will uplift its status to a world class facility where bigger vessels can dock and offload cargoes.

The new terminal is expected to increase Mombasa’s container handling capacity from the current 771,000 to 1.2 million containers, and help reduce the clogging that has forced some port users relocate to neighbouring Dar es Salaam port. Set on a 120 acre portion of land reclaimed from the ocean, the terminal will be designed with three berths each to be constructed in a separate phase. Kamau said the port expansion, coupled with other infrastructure projects at the Coast including the upgrading of the Moi International Airport, the Nairobi-Mombasa highway, as well as the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway will serve to enhance Kenya’s status as a regional economic hub.

The CS said the projects will collectively improve the competitiveness of the Mombasa port internationally, given that it will enjoy a unique inter-connectivity of transport network meshing together the marine, railway, road as well as air transport systems. “The ongoing projects are at the heart of Kenya because the port will enjoy direct contact with railway, highway and airport,” said Kamau. The CS said successful completion of the projects will vastly improve efficiency in the region’s transport sector, thereby attracting investments.

Source: The People

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