Strait of Hormuz Tensions Drive Vessel Diversions to Kenya’s Lamu Port, Boosting Activity at Underutilised Trade Hub
Since the escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel in late February, disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz have unsettled global shipping and trade flows, with ripple effects reaching several African economies.
Amid these disruptions, Lamu Port has emerged as an unexpected beneficiary.
Constraints on vessel movement through the Strait have forced shipping lines bound for the Middle East to adjust routes, with some ships diverting to Kenya’s northern coast to offload cargo at the previously underutilised port.
Sudden Surge in Vessel Traffic
Prior to the recent geopolitical escalation, Lamu Port struggled to attract consistent shipping volumes. Regional logistics patterns favored established hubs such as Port of Djibouti, which handles the majority of trade for landlocked Ethiopia, and Port of Mombasa, supported by well-developed road and rail connections serving Uganda and neighboring markets.
Located approximately 340 kilometers north of Mombasa, Lamu has recently recorded a notable increase in activity.
According to the Kenya Ports Authority, the port has received 74 vessels so far in 2026, representing roughly one-third of all ship calls recorded since operations began in 2021.
By comparison, the port handled only two container ships during the first quarter of the previous year.
With access to Port of Jebel Ali, the world’s busiest container port outside Asia, increasingly constrained, shipping companies are avoiding high-risk transit zones and opting for longer routes around southern Africa.
In this shifting logistics environment, Lamu is becoming a practical stopover point.
Diversions Highlight Port’s Growing Role
One prominent example is the Grande Florida, operated by the Grimaldi Group, which recently docked at Lamu carrying approximately 3,800 vehicles from Yokohama in Japan, originally destined for Saudi Arabia.
The vessel, capable of transporting up to 9,000 cars, is among several ships that have rerouted through the port in recent weeks.
Port authorities report that additional vessels transporting hundreds to thousands of vehicles have also made recent stops, with further arrivals expected as shipping lines continue to adjust to regional security risks.
In a statement, the Kenya Ports Authority indicated that Lamu is preparing for a sustained increase in traffic, noting that rising vessel calls could strengthen the port’s role as a regional transshipment hub.
Officials from the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority, which oversees the broader transport corridor linked to the port, confirmed growing interest from shipping agents seeking docking capacity.
A Strategic Asset Still Under Development
Lamu Port was conceived as a central component of the LAPSSET Corridor, an ambitious infrastructure initiative designed to connect Kenya with Ethiopia and South Sudan through an integrated network of roads, railways, pipelines, and airports.
However, development has progressed slowly. To date, only three of the planned 32 berths have been completed, at an estimated cost of approximately $480 million, leaving much of the project’s long-term capacity unrealized.
Security concerns have also affected investor confidence. The port is located roughly 100 kilometers from the border with Somalia, an area that has experienced periodic threats from al-Shabaab, the militant group linked to al-Qaeda.
Opportunity Amid Uncertainty
Despite these challenges, the recent surge in vessel diversions underscores Lamu Port’s strategic potential.
Temporary disruptions in global shipping lanes have provided a real-world test of the port’s operational readiness and geographic advantage.
If sustained investment in infrastructure, connectivity, and security continues, Lamu could evolve from a secondary facility into a critical logistics node for East Africa particularly during periods of geopolitical disruption that reshape global trade routes.
