Luxury Cars Diverted to Lamu as Gulf Conflict Disrupts Shipping

Thousands of luxury cars from Japan, originally bound for Dubai, have been offloaded at Lamu after the Gulf conflict disrupted shipping. Over 4,000 vehicles, including Porsches, are stored at the port, with another 5,000 expected soon. Lamu, part of a regional transport corridor, is emerging as a key African shipping hub amid Middle East instability.

Thousands of high-end cars from Japan, originally destined for Dubai, have been offloaded at the Kenyan island of Lamu, port authorities reported, as the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupts shipping routes and boosts African transport hubs. Kenyan media footage showed dozens of luxury Porsches stored in a warehouse on Lamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site being developed into a major shipping and logistics center.
The vehicles are part of more than 4,000 cars unloaded since last week from two ships operated by Italy’s Grimaldi Group. The last vessel departed from Japan’s Yokohama on February 24, four days before the war between the United States and Israel against Iran escalated, leading to a temporary halt in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The original destination, Jebel Ali port in Dubai, was struck by Iranian air raids on March 1, forcing cargo to be diverted to alternative ports.
Port officials said Lamu is expecting another shipment of 5,000 vehicles next week. Abdulaziz Mzee, manager of the Port of Lamu, told local media that while there are still ships carrying cargo destined for Gulf ports, many are effectively stranded at sea due to the instability. “It is not something to celebrate, because people there are suffering and facing difficulties, but at the same time it is a commercial blessing,” he said. Mzee added that the cars will remain at the port until conditions in the Gulf stabilize.
The Kenya Ports Authority noted on X that Lamu is prepared for increased traffic due to the conflict. Originally announced in 2012 as part of a $23-billion regional transport corridor linking South Sudan and Ethiopia to Kenya’s coast, Lamu Port began operations around 2021. Authorities project it will become Africa’s leading deep-water transshipment hub, with its role in handling diverted Gulf shipments highlighting its growing strategic and commercial importance.