Port of Kismayo, Maritime gateway in Kismayo, Somalia

The Port of Kismayo is a maritime facility on the Indian Ocean coast with a natural anchorage and four protected berths. The facility can handle vessels weighing up to 10,000 tons and maintains water depths ranging from 7.1 to 9.1 meters.

The port facility was built in 1964 with assistance from the United States and has served as a key shipping hub for the region since then. Following major renovation work in 1984, the pier structure was restored and brought back into full operation.

The name Kismayo is a compound of the Somali words kis (somewhat small) and mayo (not). The port serves the administration of Jubaland and is counted among the busiest harbours of the Horn of Africa. Its docks lie on a peninsula facing the Somali Sea.

The port operates in the GMT+3 timezone and accepts payment in Somali Shilling for transactions. Visitors and vessels should prepare for tropical conditions and check with local authorities about current access and security regulations before arrival.

The port sits on a peninsula that was originally part of the Bajuni Islands before being connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway. This connection is a notable engineering achievement that separates the harbor from the open sea and provides better protection for operations.