Lamu Port (LAPSSET Corridor)
Kenya's ambitious second deep-water port, the gateway to the $25 billion LAPSSET infrastructure corridor.
Lamu Port is the anchor project of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, one of Africa's most ambitious infrastructure programmes. Located on Manda Bay near the historic town of Lamu, the port is being developed with a planned 32 berths across three phases. The first three berths were completed with the first berth inaugurated in 2021. The project cost for the full port is estimated at over $5 billion, with the broader LAPSSET corridor including highways, railways, a pipeline, and resort cities valued at $25 billion. The port is designed to handle containers, bulk cargo, and oil exports.
- 01Provide Kenya with a second major deep-water port to complement Mombasa
- 02Create a transport corridor connecting Kenya to South Sudan and Ethiopia
- 03Support future crude oil exports from South Sudan and Kenya's Turkana oilfields
- 04Open up northern Kenya to economic development and reduce regional inequality
- 05Position Kenya as a logistics hub for the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region
- 06Handle up to 23.5 million tonnes of cargo annually at full capacity
2012 · completed
LAPSSET Corridor Launched
President Mwai Kibaki officially launched the LAPSSET Corridor Programme, with Lamu Port as the anchor project.
2016 · completed
Berth Construction Begins
Construction of the first three berths commenced with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC).
2021 · completed
First Berth Inaugurated
President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated the first berth, receiving the first commercial vessel at Lamu Port.
2023 · completed
Second Berth Completed
The second berth was completed and construction on the third berth continued.
2024 · in progress
Third Berth Nearing Completion
The third berth of Phase 1 progressed toward completion with operational preparations underway.
2025 · in progress
Corridor Road Construction
The LAPSSET corridor road from Lamu to Isiolo continued construction to connect the port to the interior.
Project Authority
LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority (LCDA)
The Kenyan government agency mandated to plan, coordinate, and manage the LAPSSET Corridor and Lamu Port.
Construction Contractor
China Communications Construction Company (CCCC)
The primary contractor for the first three berths and marine works at Lamu Port.
Port Operator
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA)
Manages port operations at Lamu under the national ports authority mandate.
Project Owner
Government of Kenya
The national government is the primary funder and owner of the LAPSSET Corridor Programme.
- Deep-water berths with 17.5 m draught
- Ship-to-shore gantry cranes for container handling
- Breakwater and channel dredging in coral reef environment
- Connected road and rail infrastructure corridor
- Oil pipeline terminal facilities (planned)
- Environmental mitigation for UNESCO World Heritage proximity
What it means for the community
The first operational berth has begun handling cargo, reducing reliance on the congested Port of Mombasa. The LAPSSET Corridor is expected to create over 200,000 jobs when fully operational and open up Kenya's historically marginalised northern regions. The port will facilitate trade for landlocked South Sudan and Ethiopia, and if fully realized, the corridor could increase Kenya's GDP by an estimated 2-3%.
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- LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority / Kenya Ports Authority
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