Nairobi – Cargo volumes at the Mombasa port grew by 8.3 per cent in the last 10 months, surpassing volumes handled at the port in a similar period last year.

Kenya Ports Authority said it has so far handled in excess of 15.8 million tonnes since January this year up from 14.5 million tonnes over a similar period last year.

Managing director Gichiri Ndua attributed the growth to capacity expansion, marketing and coordination between government agencies and the port community. Ndua said the authority expects to hit a new record in annual through put.

He said this year’s total throughput is expected to hit 25 million tonnes up from 22.31 million tonnes last year.

"Operational performance continues to paint a positive trend and by the end of December, indications are that we shall handle more cargo than we did last year. We are talking of in excess of 25.5 million tonnes,” said Ndua.

Transshipment cargo has recorded a 186.3 per cent growth recording a total volume of 287,339 tons against 100,374 tons recorded in a similar period in 2013, an increase of 186,965 tons.

Transit cargo to neighbouring countries recorded an impressive 9.6 per cent growth to stand at 3.53 million tons up from 3.22 million tonnes last year. Uganda remains the leading transit destination, controlling more than 73.1 per cent of market with motor vehicle units being among the top traded commodities.

Uganda cargo handled at the port between January and September increased by more than 14 per cent to about 2.8 million tonnes, compared to 2.38 million tonnes during the same period in 2013.

It is expected to hit a record 7 million tonnes by the end of this year. Rwanda also recorded an impressive 12.5 per cent growth handling 110,540 tonnes up from 98,240 tonnes in 2013.

Burundi recorded a modest growth of 0.8 per cent.

Top imports in the region remain motor vehicles, industrial products such as steel and coil. Others are petroleum products, farm products and electronics.

Exports from the region include tea, coffee, soda ash among other agricultural products which are similarly exported by other East African countries.

Seventy per cent of the imports remain in the country with only 30 per cent going out to neigbouring countries.