The French group CMA CGM inaugurated, on 28 October 2026, a link dedicated to the transport of containers between the port of Mombasa and the inner terminal of Nairobi-Embakasi. The service must first operate on a weekly basis before a possible increase in frequency depending on the demand.

The in-service train consists of 54 cars with a capacity of 108 20-foot equivalents (TEUs). It will initially transport the containers imported from Mombasa port to Nairobi.

Developed with the Kenya Port Authority (Kenya Ports Authority, KPA) and the national railway company (Kenya Railways Corporation, KRC), this link allows CMA CGM to combine maritime and rail transport in its offer to Kenyan importers.

The group plans to assess the demand before considering an increase in the frequency of departures or the introduction of a return service to Mombasa.

The latter option could be used to transport goods for export, but no timetable was provided. The link builds on existing railway infrastructure between the two cities and adds a capacity dedicated to CMA CGM containers.

This initiative is part of the Group's development of land-based activities in Kenya, where it also offers domestic logistics solutions, including the Kilima service. CMA CGM has also renewed its partnership with the Bandari Maritime Academy to help train professionals in the maritime and logistics sectors.

At the inauguration, representatives of the Kenyan authorities and the French Ambassador also visited CMA CGM PALMYRE, a vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).