In a historic milestone for regional trade and logistics, the Port of Lamu witnessed the commencement of a significant operation as the Ethiopian vessel, MV Abbay II, commenced offloading a monumental cargo of 60,000 tonnes of bulk fertiliser.
According to William Ruto, the Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority this marks the largest consignment of its kind to ever grace Kenyan shores. He also explained that this has underlined the strategic significance of the event for future trade relations between the two nations.
“Indeed, this is a testament to many years of planning, dedication, and hard work towards positioning the Port of Lamu as a logistics hub in the region. We are thankful and believe this is the first of the many vessels carrying Ethiopian bound cargo that we shall handle going forward,” Ruto said
The fertiliser, upon arrival, was promptly bagged at the port before being swiftly loaded onto waiting trucks for transportation to Ethiopia.
Speaking on behalf of the Ethiopian government, Minister minister of agriculture Girma Amante stressed the importance of diversifying access to seaports, particularly for a rapidly growing economy like Ethiopia.
"Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, given the size of its population, as the second most populous country in Africa. Therefore, it is a necessity to diversify our access to the seaports," Amante affirmed.
The arrival of this shipment marks a significant turning point for Ethiopia’s trade dynamics, as it signifies the first time the country has imported cargo through the Port of Lamu since its operationalization three years ago.
Ethiopian Ship Unloads Record Bulk Fertilizer Shipment at Port of Lamu