# Kenya Faces Port Competition From Somaliland and Tanzania

> Somaliland Sun reported on 29 June 2021 that DP World opened a Berbera terminal and Tanzania looks to revive Bagamoyo port.

- By: Editorial Team, Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com/about)
- Published: 30 September 2026
- Format: News story (reported from one named public source)
- Publication: Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com)
- Subject: Infrastructure and Services
- Tags: ports, utilities
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/kenya-port-competition-somaliland-tanzania

## Key points

- Somaliland Sun reported on 29 June 2021 that Berbera Port opened a new terminal and announced expansion, while Tanzania seeks to revive Bagamoyo.
- The report does not establish completions or current statuses beyond stated targets and intentions.
- Kenya's Mombasa and Lamu ports are positioned competitively but comparative throughput data is lacking.

On 29 June 2021, [Somaliland Sun](https://somalilandsun.com/somaliland-kenya-faces-ports-competition-with-somaliland-tz-projects/) reported that DP World and Somaliland had opened a new container terminal at Berbera Port and announced a second phase expansion and ground-breaking for an economic zone. The report frames a regional port competition, with Tanzania also looking to revive the Bagamoyo project.

Somaliland Sun said the new Berbera terminal has capacity for 500,000 TEUs a year, with a second phase expected to raise capacity to two million TEUs a year. The terminal has a deep draft of 17 metres, a 400-metre quay and three ship-to-shore gantry cranes, and can handle the largest container vessels in operation. DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem called Berbera a "viable, efficient and competitive option for trade in the region, especially for Ethiopian transit cargo".

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi said the completion of the first phase made the vision of Berbera as a major trade hub a reality. The Berbera Economic Zone, modelled on DP World's Jebel Ali Free Zone, is under development along the Berbera Corridor.

Somaliland Sun reported the Berbera Corridor road upgrade, funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the UK's DFID, is set for completion in quarter four 2021, with the UK Aid-funded Hargeisa Bypass Road targeted for quarter three 2022. The report does not state that these roads have been completed.

On Bagamoyo, Somaliland Sun said Tanzania is looking to revive the $10 billion (Sh1.1 trillion) project, citing President Samia Suluhu's remarks to private sector players in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania signed a framework agreement with China Merchants Holdings International in 2013, but the project stalled after the late President John Magufuli said the deal was not commercially viable.

Kenya's position includes the newly launched Lamu Port, part of the Sh2.5 trillion LAPSSET Corridor. Somaliland Sun reported that Kenyan, South Sudanese and Ethiopian officials met in Addis Ababa to formalise a proposed Regional Framework Body. Acting managing director Rashid Salim said Lamu has a bigger vessel handling capacity than Mombasa, with 400-metre berths versus 300 metres and depth up to minus 17.5 metres against 15 metres.

Mombasa Port has an annual capacity of over 1.4 million TEUs and close to 35 million tonnes, but the report provides no comparable throughput figures for Lamu or Berbera. Kenya Ports Authority expressed confidence that investment in automation will maintain a competitive edge.

## Questions

### What is Berbera Port's new capacity?

Somaliland Sun reported the new terminal has capacity for 500,000 TEUs a year, with a second phase expected to raise capacity to two million TEUs a year.

### Is the Bagamoyo port project revived?

No. Somaliland Sun reported Tanzania is looking to revive the project, but no new agreement or timeline was given.

### How does Lamu Port compare to Mombasa?

Acting managing director Rashid Salim said Lamu has a bigger vessel handling capacity with longer berths and deeper draft, but no comparative throughput data was provided.

## Sources

- [Somaliland: Kenya faces ports competition with Somaliland, TZ projects](https://somalilandsun.com/somaliland-kenya-faces-ports-competition-with-somaliland-tz-projects/) — Somaliland Sun, 2021-06-29