Kenya Ports Authority is delighted to note that smooth flow of cargo at its container terminal will improve after it received the first call by MV Santo Rosa. The ship belonging to evergreen shipping line docked at berth 17 on Monday.
Addressing guests at a small ceremony at the terminal in honor of the ship, Acting Managing Director Mr. Gichiri Ndua said the management was prepared to improve service delivery, enhance efficiency and ease cargo handling. “Plans are at advance stage to establish the second container terminal that will cater for more than 1.2 million TEUs on its completion,” he added.
Mr. Ndua, who was accompanied by the Terminal Manager Mr. James Rarieya, also said that the Authority was taking initiative to increase port capacity by constructing an additional berth at the existing three container berths in addition to dredging the channel to allow bigger vessels.
Mr. Bahaa Badr, Chairman of Gulf Badr Group representing the line in Kenya expressed satisfaction with the reception they received and was optimistic that services will continue to improve at the port. Evergreen is the 4th largest shipping line in the world with over 160 ships serving its fleets.
According to information from its website, Evergreen will be making a call in every 10 days with the next ship expected to dock at Mombasa port on 14th June, 2010. Hansa Sonderberg will be followed by MAYU on 19th June then Santa Rosa returning to Mombasa on 29th June before Hansa Sonderberg making a come back on 9th July, 2010.
The feasibility study for the second sea port in Lamu has already been started with the shipping line expressing hope that the port will have enough draft to receive ships with bigger capacities. The initial study indicated that Lamu will have draft of 18 meters which is sufficient to handle big vessels translating to more volume of cargo.