The Port of Lamu has marked a historic milestone with the arrival and docking of its first-ever conventional cargo vessel, the MV Van Melody, a development that underscores the port’s growing importance in Kenya’s maritime landscape.
The vessel, operated by Oceanfront East Africa Limited, docked to offload 129 coils of break bulk cargo, equivalent to 3,550 metric tons. The shipment is destined for the local manufacture of precast piles, an essential component for the upcoming construction of Berth 19B at the Port of Mombasa.
The precast piles will be fabricated in Lamu before being transported to Mombasa for use in the project, a move that not only integrates Lamu into Kenya’s broader infrastructure ecosystem but also promotes local industry participation and job creation.
This landmark event positions the Port of Lamu as more than a backup to Mombasa. Instead, it is beginning to demonstrate its potential as a multi-purpose port capable of supporting national infrastructure projects while offering a viable alternative for regional and international trade.
A Port Turning the Corner
When the Port of Lamu was inaugurated in May 2021 with the docking of the MV CAP Carmel, a container vessel operated by Sealand, optimism was high. The port, a centerpiece of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, had been envisioned as a game-changer for regional trade.
But the early years were marked by slow uptake, with shipping lines hesitant to reroute vessels from established ports like Mombasa and Djibouti. Critics questioned whether the multi-billion-shilling investment would deliver returns, labeling the project a “white elephant.”
The docking of the MV Van Melody — carrying break bulk cargo specifically earmarked for a critical national project — signals that the tide may finally be turning. Unlike earlier calls that were exploratory or symbolic, this milestone demonstrates commercial and operational integration of Lamu into Kenya’s supply chain.
Rising Maritime Traffic
Recent figures show the port is gaining momentum.
In August 2025, the Port of Lamu recorded 32 vessel calls, one of its highest monthly totals since commissioning. The breakdown included:
- 13 container vessels,
- Conventional cargo ships like the MV Van Melody, and
- Fishing vessels leveraging the port’s deep-water berths.
The upward trend is expected to continue, with three additional container vessels scheduled to dock this week. For Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), these numbers reflect growing confidence in the facility’s capacity and efficiency.
The facility’s deep-water berths, designed to handle large post-Panamax vessels, and state-of-the-art infrastructure are proving attractive to operators seeking alternatives to congestion at Mombasa.
Supporting National Infrastructure Development
The MV Van Melody’s cargo exemplifies how Lamu can play a supporting role in Kenya’s infrastructure expansion. By facilitating the offloading and preparation of project cargo for use in Mombasa, the port is emerging as a logistics hub capable of complementing — rather than competing with — Mombasa.
This strategy aligns with government objectives to decongest Mombasa, diversify port capacity, and distribute economic opportunities across regions.
Additionally, the fabrication of precast piles in Lamu provides a direct boost to the local economy through employment and the growth of ancillary industries, from logistics to fabrication services.
LAPSSET and Regional Integration
The Port of Lamu is a flagship component of the LAPSSET Corridor Project, one of the most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in East Africa.
The corridor envisions:
- A 32-berth deep-water port at Lamu,
- A superhighway connecting Lamu to South Sudan and Ethiopia,
- An oil pipeline,
- A railway line, and
- Complementary infrastructure including airports and industrial zones.
If fully realized, LAPSSET would provide landlocked countries like South Sudan and Ethiopia with a shorter and more cost-effective outlet to the Indian Ocean, reducing reliance on Djibouti and Port Sudan.
While the broader corridor has faced delays due to financing and geopolitical challenges, the operationalization of the Port of Lamu represents tangible progress. Each new vessel call strengthens the case for further investment in the project’s complementary infrastructure.
Competition in the Region
Kenya is not the only country racing to expand its port capacity.
- Djibouti has entrenched itself as Ethiopia’s primary maritime gateway, investing heavily in logistics and industrial parks.
- Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo ports are vying for a share of East Africa’s growing trade volumes.
- Somalia is exploring redevelopment of its coastline with backing from international partners.
In this competitive environment, Kenya’s strategy hinges on positioning Mombasa and Lamu as complementary facilities. Mombasa remains the workhorse port for containerized trade, while Lamu is being marketed as a hub for transshipment, bulk cargo, and project logistics.
The arrival of the MV Van Melody provides proof of concept for this strategy, showing how Lamu can carve out a distinct but vital role.
Local Benefits and Community Impact
The Port of Lamu is not just a national asset — it is a potential economic lifeline for the coastal region.
Already, the uptick in vessel traffic has generated new opportunities for:
- Transporters, who ferry cargo inland,
- Small-scale suppliers and service providers, supporting port operations, and
- Youth employment, with KPA and contractors hiring from the local population.
Additionally, the fabrication of precast piles for the Mombasa project highlights how the port can stimulate industrial activity within Lamu County, creating multiplier effects that extend beyond maritime operations.
That said, the project has also faced criticism over land acquisition, displacement, and environmental impact. Civil society groups have called for more inclusive planning to ensure local communities benefit meaningfully from the port’s growth.
Strategic Significance
From a geopolitical perspective, the Port of Lamu provides Kenya with strategic redundancy. With rising global trade uncertainties, congestion, and evolving security dynamics in the Indian Ocean, having multiple operational ports strengthens the country’s resilience.
Furthermore, Lamu’s location north of Mombasa offers strategic advantages for connecting to Northern Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, aligning with Kenya’s long-term ambition to become a regional logistics hub.
The Road Ahead
While the recent milestones are encouraging, the Port of Lamu’s long-term success hinges on several factors:
- Infrastructure Connectivity – For Lamu to serve as a true regional hub, road and rail links under the LAPSSET Corridor must advance. Without them, the port’s hinterland remains limited.
- Shipping Line Confidence – Sustained growth in vessel calls will depend on shipping companies viewing Lamu as cost-effective and reliable.
- Policy Stability – Investors and operators will be closely watching Kenya’s regulatory framework to ensure predictability in tariffs, security, and governance.
- Regional Politics – With Ethiopia, South Sudan, and other neighbors integral to Lamu’s success, diplomatic and trade relations will play a decisive role.
A Turning Point for Lamu
The docking of the MV Van Melody may appear, on the surface, as just one vessel call among many. Yet its significance lies in what it represents: Lamu Port is moving from concept to reality, from underutilized infrastructure to a functional component of Kenya’s maritime economy.
With traffic on the rise, local industries engaging in supply chains, and regional trade strategies increasingly aligned with LAPSSET, the port is poised to play a transformative role in Kenya’s future.
For Kenya, the message is clear: Lamu is open for business.
