Mombasa Port receives new portal harbor cranes
Mombasa – August 30,2017
Kenya Ports Authority's (KPA) equipment acquisition efforts for the Port of Mombasa got a major boost on Tuesday following the arrival of two ultra-modern diesel electric cranes.
The cranes funded by Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) through the UK government's International Climate Fund (ICF) facility were procured at a total cost of Kshs 868.27 million (USD 8.7 million).
The two portal harbor cranes are part of a comprehensive programme in supporting the Port of Mombasa's resilient port infrastructure initiatives. These cranes are aimed at mitigating the negative effects on the environment.
Offloading of the cranes at Berth No. 10 at the Port of Mombasa.
The cranes will provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimizes escape of dust during discharge and reduces running expenses on average by 30%. The Eco Hoppers will complement mobile harbour cranes for dry bulk cargo handling.
Unlike the Mobile Harbor Cranes currently used at the Port which handle one vessel at a time, the new cranes will handle two vessels simultaneously.
KPA General Managers Eng. Joseph Atonga (Engineering Services), Mr. Sudi Mwasinago (Operations) and TMEA Kenya Country Director Mr. Ahmed Farah witnessed the offloading of the equipment at the Port of Mombasa's Berth No. 10.
KPA General Manager Engineering Services Eng. Joseph Atonga (L), General Manager Operations Mr. Sudi Mwasinago (centre) and TMEA Kenya Country Director Mr. Ahmed Farah chat after witnessing the offloading of the new portal harbor cranes.
The Government of Kenya has made it a priority to continually invest in infrastructural development of the Port of Mombasa and made progress in the modernisation of the Port. Some of the key projects include the construction of the phase 1 of the Second Container Terminal which increased the port's annual capacity by 550,000 TEUs, the construction of Berth No. 19, and the dredging of the entrance channel which has enabled the Port to handle larger vessels.
TMEA has been working closely with KPA to implement short-term and high impact projects including the improvement of Gate 18/20 which enhanced Port access as well as the upgrading of Yard 5 which increased capacity at the Port.
Commissioning Engineer Ralf Stuhldreier shows the KPA Maintenance engineers the remote control for operating the newly acquired portal harbor cranes. Looking on is Mr. Dirk Willen Te Velde, Principal Research Fellow and Director Economic Transformation at Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Mr. James Ng'ang'a TMEA's Director for Infrastructure Northern Corridor.
KPA through support from TMEA has developed a green port policy which seeks to position the Port of Mombasa as a leading world port providing sound stewardship and management of the environment affected by port operations. The strategy highlights the need to place people first, while addressing the negative impacts occasioned by port operations as well placing a premium on technology-rich and sustainable port operations.