Expansion of Mombasa Port continues

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Nearly two months after the completion of dredging of the Mombasa port, Kenya Ports Authority is now seeking to construct the 19th berth as well as upgrade the second container terminal.

The construction of the berth-to be undertaken by China Roads and Bridges at an estimated cost of $66.7 million-will see a yard of about 20 ft Equivalent Units created behind it. The container terminal will add 160m to the existing one and bring the container area to 760m.This will be sufficient to handle three medium size container ships of 235m each.

The expansion trend is being embraced at the port as proven by the successful handling of some large carriers recently. “Local maritime experts have exuded confidence that the trend will lead to reduction of freight costs in the region,” said Bernard Osero, the Kenya Ports Authority corporate affairs manager.

Mr. Osero also pointed that the Mediterranean Shipping Company has replaced some of its smaller container vessels with two Panama vessels namely MSC Roberta and MSC Jade.

Other notable large carriers that have since called the port following the dredging include the Roll-on-Roll-off vessel Jolly Diamante the largest of her kind.

The 5 billion dredging project which was completed three months earlier saw the port widened and deepened to accommodate larger post-Panamax ships. The port was dredged to a depth of minus 15m in the inner channel and 300m wide at its narrowest point.

The project is however in dispute with the Mombasa Municipal Council. The council claims that the Kenya Ports Authority failed to follow all the physical planning requirements as outlined in the Physical Planning Act under the Local Government Act.

The projects are under KPA’s expansion plans. According to Mr. Osero, some progress has been made in the construction of the berth.

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