CMA CGM Seeks to Consolidate Position in East African Market
Global shipping giant CMA CGM is moving to consolidate its strong presence in the East African market. In its latest step, the company is launching a dedicated freight train service that will operate from the Port of Mombasa, Kenya, to the hinterland.
With a total of 45.4 million metric tons of cargo entering the East Africa region through the Port of Mombasa in 2025, competition for business among shipping lines is becoming increasingly competitive, particularly for containerized cargo. Last year, container traffic at the port reached 2.1 million TEU, a 5.5 percent increase from 2 million TEU in 2024.
To safeguard its market and battle for more business, CMA CGM has partnered with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) to launch a dedicated full block train service to transport cargo from the Mombasa Port to the Nairobi-based Inland Container Depot (ICD).
The shipping giant highlighted that the train service is starting with 54 wagons and a capacity of 108 containers. While at the beginning it will operate one train per week, the company intends to increase frequency depending on customer demand as well as introduce a return service.
For the company, launching the dedicated train service is an initiative designed to strengthen its logistics offering and long-term commitment to Kenya and the East Africa region. Specifically, CMA CGM believes that by integrating rail freight with its maritime services, customers will now have expanded transport solutions for moving goods between international markets and inland economic centers.
As an inland solution, the train service is expected to complement its maritime activities, especially the Kilima service that was launched in August last year and which is a standalone service connecting Asian ports with East Africa ports as well as inland connectivity to landlocked countries like Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Our ambition is to strengthen connectivity between the sea, the port and inland economies. This project reflects our long-term commitment to Kenya and our ambition to contribute to the country’s growth by connecting people, businesses and opportunities,” said Naveen Prabhu, CMA CGM Deputy Regional Director for East Africa.
that matters most
Get the latest maritime news delivered to your inbox daily.
The LNG-powered containership Palmyre, which has a capacity of about 8,000 TEU, docked at the Port of Mombasa to serve as the centerpiece vessel during the official launch of the dedicated freight train service.
“Developing efficient connections between the Port of Mombasa and inland economic centres is essential to strengthening Kenya’s logistics chain. This initiative demonstrates the importance of cooperation between public and private stakeholders in supporting trade and the country’s economic development,” said Mohamed Daghar, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Transport.
