New shift record performance at the Port of Mombasa

Mombasa – June 19, 2020

The Port of Mombasa has witnessed a new shift record performance after registering 1039 moves within eight hours.

The performance registered on container vessel Rio Centaurus on Thursday night during the third shift at Berth No. 21, also saw crane operator Joseph Maina, register a new individual crane record after managing 409 moves translating to 51 moves per hour.

His colleagues Maritim and Odato recorded 290 and 280 moves within the shift.

The vessel Rio Centaurus discharging cargo at Berth No. 21.

Maina's record has outdone the one registered by George Ominde on Friday last week of 362 moves per crane shift on the vessel MV. Cosco Yinkou.

Operations for the vessel Rio Centaurus with an overall length of 229 meters commenced at 2300 hours (first sling).

The vessel worked with three Ship to Shore gantry cranes.

KPA Acting Managing Director Eng. Rashid Salim expressed satisfaction with the performance on the vessel which had a total 3050 container units.

Acting Managing Director Eng. Rashid Salim in his office.

He attributed the performance to good coordination, teamwork and supervision.

"Congratulations to the team including crane operators, terminal tractor drivers, supervisors and all those involved because this is a combination of efforts," said the MD.

He said plans are underway for purchasing of new yard equipment in the next financial year to facilitate seamless performance.

Among the additional equipment to be purchased to boost operations include twin hook spreaders and new ship to shore gantry cranes.

Acting Head of Container Operations Mr. Patrick Makau.

Commenting on the new record performance, Acting Head of Container Operations Mr. Patrick Makau, expressed delight saying the performance was registered under peculiar environment as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

"We are currently operating in a very different scenario whereby at the moment 240 Container Operations staff are out of station," Makau said.

On his part Maersk vessel coordinator Mr. Priston Agogo, commended KPA saying this was the best record witnessed at the Second Container Terminal since it started operations.

Maersk vessel coordinator Mr. Priston Agogo.

"KPA should continue maintaining its Ship to Shore Gantry Cranes and tug masters to sustain or even surpass the records," he said.

Agogo added that the vessel Rio Centaurus is a joint venture between Maersk Shipping Line and COSCO Shipping Line.