On October 28, 2026, the exclusive railway intermodal transport channel from Mombasa Port to Nairobi Inland Container Terminal by Dafei Shipping officially opened, adding a core capacity node to the sea rail intermodal transport network in East Africa.

The new railway line from Mombasa to Nairobi has started operation

The project is jointly promoted by Dafei Shipping, Kenyan port authorities, and Kenya Railways. The train consists of 54 carriages, with a maximum capacity of 108 TEUs per trip. The initial operating frequency is once a week, mainly undertaking the transfer of imported containers from Mombasa Port to the capital Nairobi. The subsequent operator will dynamically evaluate the actual market cargo volume, gradually increase the weekly departure frequency, and simultaneously study the opening of return transportation services from Nairobi to Mombasa Port.

As of the third quarter of 2026, the annual container throughput of Mombasa Port has exceeded 1.45 million TEUs, a year-on-year increase of about 8.7%, and the pressure of port collection and distribution continues to rise. After the new channel is put into use, a single railway transportation can replace the road transportation volume of nearly a hundred heavy trucks, greatly alleviating the congestion of the main road from Mombasa Port to Nairobi. The overall circulation time of imported goods entering the inland core market from the port can be shortened by nearly 30%.

Shipping giants accelerate the layout of end-to-end logistics systems

Mombasa Port is the most important gateway port in the East African region, serving as the transit hub for the vast majority of import and export goods from Kenya and surrounding landlocked countries. Nairobi is the core consumer market and regional logistics distribution hub in East Africa. Previously, import and export goods mainly relied on highways for port to city transportation. Due to factors such as road congestion during the rainy season and customs inspections, the stability of the supply chain has long had significant shortcomings. Keywords: logistics, railway freight

In recent years, Dafei Shipping has continued to increase its layout in the East African market, continuously optimizing the regional shipping route network, strengthening port connectivity capabilities, and filling the gaps in inland transportation services. The opening of this exclusive railway channel marks a further transformation of international shipping companies from a single maritime service provider to an integrated logistics solution provider that combines maritime, port, and inland transportation. With the continuous growth of regional trade in East Africa, sea rail intermodal routes connecting ports and inland hubs will become the core competitiveness for international logistics companies to consolidate their market share.Editor/Cheng Liting