Kenya unveils US$20M Shimoni Fish Port to anchor blue economy drive

KENYA – The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has completed the construction of the Sh2.6 billion (approx. US$20 million) Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County, marking a significant milestone in the country’s Blue Economy development agenda.

The state-of-the-art facility, constructed in partnership with Southern Engineering Company Ltd (SECO), is designed to bolster fish production, processing, and value addition, while empowering coastal communities and supporting national economic growth.

The port features marine and civil infrastructure designed to enhance the fishing industry and accommodate the docking of larger vessels.

“The new dedicated fishing port will significantly boost the economy, create jobs and improve livelihoods for the coastal communities,” said KPA Ag. Manager Corporate Communications, Jones Buchere.

Buchere, who toured the facility with senior KPA managers, added that it will enable the local fishing industry to thrive, allowing larger vessels to dock and enhance the export capacity.

He emphasised that the port’s focus is entirely on fish: “The modern port is dedicated solely to fish production; processing and value addition, which will transform the local economy, increasing opportunities for the exportation of the finished products to the region, as well as meeting local consumption.”

Strategic shift for Kenya Ports Authority

Kenya Ports Authority officially received the facility from the contractor SECO, with KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto leading the handover ceremony.

“The journey towards exploiting the blue economy has started, and I am proud that a Kenyan firm and consultant have delivered a very good project whose feasibility study commenced way back in 2017,” Ruto said.

He noted that the fish port represents a unique strategic shift of the Authority’s approach to port operations, diversifying beyond cargo handling to focus on specialised fisheries infrastructure.

“We are therefore keen on focusing on investing in port infrastructure to boost efficiency and service delivery,” he added.

The project features a 75-meter by 30-meter jetty, a 135-meter causeway, cold storage units, reefer stations, an ice-making plant, a bio-digester, wastewater management systems, and a dedicated fish processing plant.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani underscored the port’s importance to regional development, noting that it is expected to leverage the capacity of the Mombasa commercial seaport to facilitate fish exports. 

Construction began in 2023 and is part of a larger Sh20 billion (approx. US$150 million) vision for Shimoni Port, aimed at turning it into a regional hub for fisheries and maritime commerce.

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