Kenya Ports Authority completes KSh2.6 billion Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County

The Kenya Ports Authority has officially taken delivery of the modernized Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County, marking the conclusion of a KSh2.6 billion construction project aimed at industrializing the region’s marine fisheries. The facility, which was constructed over a period of 36 months by the Southern Engineering Company, represents the first dedicated fishing port of this scale in Kenya. It shifts the local maritime landscape from subsistence activities toward a structured commercial system capable of handling significant industrial volumes.

The infrastructure at Shimoni includes a 75-meter by 30-meter main jetty and a 135-meter causeway designed to allow two large fishing vessels to berth simultaneously. These additions are supported by a specialized fish processing plant and cold storage units with a daily capacity of 200 metric tonnes. By integrating these facilities, the port addresses the long-standing issue of post-harvest losses that have previously limited the earning potential of coastal fishing communities.

Beyond the primary berthing and processing areas, the project incorporates essential utility infrastructure to ensure self-sufficiency and environmental compliance. This includes a dedicated power substation, an ice-making plant, and a bio-digester. A wastewater management system has also been installed to handle the specific requirements of fish processing and value addition. These technical components are intended to meet international standards for seafood exports, allowing Kenyan products better access to regional and global markets.

The transition to formal management under the Kenya Ports Authority follows a period of benchmarking by agency officials in maritime hubs such as Namibia, Spain, and Morocco. This institutional preparation was designed to ensure that Shimoni operates as a specialized hub rather than a general cargo terminal. The authority has indicated that the port will now focus on diversifying Kenya's maritime portfolio, which has historically centered on containerized trade through Mombasa and Lamu.

Safety and operational zoning form a critical part of the new port’s layout. The facility features separate jetties for commercial fishing and public use, which is intended to improve hygiene and security within the harbor. To support the local workforce, the Kenya Ports Authority also funded the construction of community storage warehouses and upgraded sanitation facilities. These additions were completed as part of the project's broader mandate to improve the working conditions of small-scale traders and fishers who share the waters near Wasini Island.

Security operations around the maritime border are being coordinated through the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration. This inter-agency approach is intended to protect the southern coastline from illegal fishing and to provide a secure environment for the increased vessel traffic expected at the new terminal. With the construction phase now finished, the focus has shifted to the full operationalization of the processing lines and the integration of local Beach Management Units into the port’s value chain.