Dutch dredgers open Mombasa to 4,500-TEUers, raising 2,000-TEU limit
2012 04 11
- Details
RECENT dredging of the Mombasa channel and the turning basin has enabled the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to dock 4,500-TEU ships when only 2,000-TEUers could get in before.
Recently, the biggest ever containership to call at the port, the 3,000-TEU MSC Jade, discharged and loaded 1,693 containers," said KPA spokesman Bernard Osero.
The Kilindini channel has been dredged to 15 metres in the inner channel, with a width of 300 metres at its narrowest. The turning basin has also been dredged to 15 metres and widened to 500 metres. Dredging by Dutch-based Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors is to be complete this month, four months ahead of schedule, reported the Nairobi Star.
Said local freight agent Peter Mwangi: "The challenge is now for the government to move fast and prepare the port to handle bigger vessels. A shallow entry has been a hitch, but now that has been addressed and work must be turned to ensuring that cargo handling facilities are sufficient."
Next to come is the 3,398-TEU MSC Roberta. Although dredging was to provide capacity for the second container terminal whose construction has began, great benefits will result for Mombasa's existing container terminal, said a KPA spokesman.
Source Shipping Gazette - Daily Shipping News
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