Three cargo vessels rerouted from the Middle East have docked at Kenya’s northern port of Lamu, the latest being the car carrier Grande Florida from Yokohama, Japan, which discharged about 3,800 vehicles originally bound for Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, port officials said on Wednesday (March 18).
The diversions come after escalating security concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz — a critical artery for seaborne trade in vehicles, energy supplies and manufactured goods.
Officials at the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor said the vessels sought a safer harbour as shipping firms reassessed routes and risk exposure in the Middle East.
The offloaded vehicles are being temporarily held at the port as shipping agents and cargo owners arrange onward logistics, including possible trans-shipment or re-export once conditions allow.
The arrivals highlight Lamu’s growing role as an alternative maritime gateway in East Africa.
The port, which began commercial operations in recent years, has been positioning itself as a hub for regional trade, serving northern Kenya and landlocked neighbours including South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Lamu port is expecting increased activity, with more vessels likely to divert as shipping agents continue to assess the port’s capacity.
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