CMA CGM launches dedicated rail service in Kenya
CMA CGM has launched its first dedicated block train service in Kenya, establishing a rail freight connection between the Port of Mombasa and the Nairobi-Embakasi Inland Container Depot (ICD) as part of its expansion of inland logistics services in East Africa.
Inaugurated on 28 October 2026, the service operates with 54 wagons and a capacity of 108 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). It will initially run once a week, transporting imported containers from Mombasa to Nairobi, with the possibility of additional departures and a return service depending on customer demand.
The initiative has been developed in cooperation with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), bringing together maritime and rail transport infrastructure to support container movements between Kenya’s main seaport and its inland economic centres.
New rail connection strengthens inland transport
The dedicated service provides CMA CGM with an additional inland transport option for customers moving containerised imports through the Port of Mombasa. By linking maritime arrivals with rail freight operations, the company is expanding its ability to coordinate cargo movements beyond the port.
During the initial phase, one dedicated train will operate each week between Mombasa and Nairobi-Embakasi. CMA CGM will use this period to assess demand and determine whether the service can support higher frequencies or the introduction of a return connection to Mombasa.
The launch ceremony was attended by representatives of the Kenyan government, the French Embassy, the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Railways Corporation and CMA CGM.
Naveen Prabhu, Deputy Regional Director for East Africa at CMA CGM, said the new connection reflects the company’s ambition to strengthen links between maritime transport, port infrastructure and inland markets.
“Today’s launch is an important milestone for CMA CGM in Kenya,” Prabhu said, highlighting the cooperation between the company, Kenyan authorities and its customers.
CMA CGM expands multimodal operations in East Africa
The rail service forms part of CMA CGM’s wider development of inland transport solutions in Kenya, complementing its existing maritime network and logistics activities in the region.
The company is also developing other inland transport offerings, including its Kilima service, as it seeks to strengthen connections between international shipping routes and inland destinations.
Mohamed Daghar, Principal Secretary for Transport at Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Transport, highlighted the importance of cooperation between maritime and rail stakeholders in developing connections between the Port of Mombasa and Kenya’s inland economic centres.
The new block train service adds dedicated rail capacity to CMA CGM’s transport offering in Kenya, with the initial operating schedule providing a basis for assessing demand and potential expansion.
Further development of the connection, including additional weekly departures or a return service, will depend on the results of the initial operating phase.
