An Iranian-flagged cargo vessel discharged about 5,200 containers at Lamu Port, which the Kenya Ports Authority described as the largest single-container discharge recorded at the facility.
The vessel, MV Hamouna, is operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).
MV Hamouna arrived at the port on October 4, carrying approximately 14,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with about 5,200 TEUs scheduled for discharge at Lamu Port.
The containers will be transferred to smaller feeder vessels for onward shipment to destinations across the region.
Iranian-Flagged Ship Sets New Container Handling Record
Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director William Ruto said the vessel’s arrival demonstrated the port’s ability to handle larger ships and cargo volumes.
He said it was the first vessel to discharge more than 5,000 TEUs in a single call at the port.
“This is the first vessel to discharge over 5,000 TEUs at once. Even our Mombasa Port has not surpassed this figure, making Lamu Port the next frontier in the maritime industry,” Ruto said.
The vessel navigated about 14 nautical miles through Lamu’s eastern channel before berthing.
Lamu port’s berths are about 17.5 meters deep, allowing it to accommodate some of the world’s largest vessels.
The port’s infrastructure includes three operational 400-meter berths that can service Panamax and Post-Panamax vessels carrying more than 10,000 TEUs.
Earlier this year, the facility also received the 369-meter MV Baltimore Express, while the 335-meter MV Nagoya Express previously set a vessel-size record at the port.
The arrival of MV Hamouna comes days after Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote broke ground for a planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Kenya on September 30.
The refinery is expected to supply refined petroleum products to eight East African countries, and the project’s first shipment of machinery arrived through Lamu Port on September 26 aboard the Chinese-flagged MV Da Yang Bai He.
MV Da Yang Bai He delivered about 2,930 tonnes of equipment for the refinery ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony.
According to the report, the refinery is expected to receive crude oil through Lamu Port and export refined products including diesel, petrol and jet fuel to markets across East Africa.
Port Prepares For Larger Vessels
Lamu Port General Manager Abdulaziz Mzee said the refinery would generate a steady flow of crude carriers and cargo vessels through the port.
He said the facility’s infrastructure gives it an advantage in handling large ships, noting that Lamu has natural depths of up to 17 meters along its main channel and three operational 400-meter berths that can accommodate Panamax and Post-Panamax vessels exceeding 10,000 TEUs.
Mzee said vessels bringing crude oil would offload at the port while product tankers would transport refined petroleum products to regional markets.
The refinery is expected to serve Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Rwanda, among other countries in the region.
Kenya’s business ties with Iran are centered mainly on agricultural trade.
Iran is a major market for Kenyan tea, with Kenya exporting about 13 million kilograms worth Ksh4.26 billion in 2024.
Kenya is also seeking to increase exports of coffee, avocados, mangoes, fresh produce and meat to Iran.
The two countries have agreements covering the export of fresh chilled sheep meat.
On the Iranian side, Kenya is seeking technology, manufacturing expertise and investment.
An Iranian vehicle manufacturer, Zamyad, has partnered with Kenyan firm Quip Bank Trust Ltd on plans to assemble pickup trucks locally.
The cooperation also covers renewable energy, housing, and agro-processing.
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