TWV Business Desk
Next month, Kenya will witness the official opening of the Sh2.6 billion Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County, a project that could redefine the country’s approach to the Blue Economy. Located in Lunga-Lunga sub-county along the Indian Ocean, the port is the first purpose-built deep-sea fishing facility of its kind in the region.
The completion of the port is more than just an infrastructural milestone; it represents a strategic investment in unlocking the economic potential of Kenya’s marine resources. For decades, small-scale fishers in coastal areas have faced challenges such as limited docking space, inadequate cold storage, and poor access to export markets. The Shimoni facility is designed to address these gaps.
Equipped with advanced cold storage units, ice-making machines, processing plants, and berthing space for large vessels, the port will enable fishers to land, process, and store catches more efficiently. This is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, one of the biggest challenges in the fishing sector, while ensuring that fish meet the quality standards required for both local and international markets.
Once operational, the port is projected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in fishing, processing, logistics, and related services. Beyond local employment, the facility is expected to serve as a regional trade hub, attracting investors from Kenya and across the East African Community. Enhanced export capacity will also contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
The Shimoni project is part of a broader government effort to strengthen the Blue Economy. Modern landing sites have been completed in Vanga, Gazi, Kibuyuni, and Mwaepe in Kwale, all fitted with cold storage and fish handling sheds. Similar upgrades have been carried out in other coastal counties and in the lake region to make fishing safer and more profitable.
Alongside the port, construction of the Shimoni Mariculture and Resource Centre is underway, with 40% of the work completed. This facility will serve as a research and training hub, promoting sustainable fish farming, marine biodiversity conservation, and new aquaculture technologies.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has hailed the project as a “game-changer” for both the county and the country. With Kenya’s fishing industry now better positioned to compete regionally and globally, the Shimoni Fish Port is set to play a central role in shaping the nation’s Blue Economy agenda, turning untapped marine potential into tangible economic growth.
The project demonstrates how targeted infrastructure, when aligned with a clear development strategy, can create lasting benefits for communities, stimulate trade, and secure Kenya’s place in the global fisheries market.
