The ports of Djibouti, Dar es Salaam and Berbera have unseated Mombasa, one of East Africa's busiest seaports, in the latest global Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), released by the World Bank last week.
The third edition of the CPPI ranked 348 global container ports by their efficiency, measured by the elapsed time from when a vessel arrives in a port to its departure, and from the berth having completed its cargo exchange.
The recent ranking placed Kenya's leading international seaport Mombasa 326th out of the 348 ports evaluated worldwide, behind other major East African ports. Mombasa recorded a dramatic drop from the 2021 ranking, where it took 296th place.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the volume of cargo handled by the Mombasa port declined for the first time in five years in 2022, with local media pointing to rising competition from Tanzania's Dar es Salaam. The latter was ranked 312th, indicating a significant improvement from the previous report, where it took the 361st spot.
The World Bank highlighted that efficient operation of ports is critical to the development of trade in the region, noting that as of now, many ports continue to experience excessive vessel turnaround time that poses a persistent risk for supply chain disruptions.
"Improving port efficiency is essential for unlocking Africa's growth and development," said Martin Humphreys, lead transport economist at the World Bank, adding: "Africa's ports are vital gateways for trade and commerce... Their efficient operation is a key determinant in whether Africa achieves its economic potential."
China's Yangshan Port took the top position in the global ranking, despite periods of disruption due to typhoons and other factors. Three Middle East and North Africa ports appeared in the top five: the port of Salalah in Oman ranked 2nd, Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Port took 3rd and Tanger Med in Morocco ranked 4th.