-Loaded with crucial food supplies to both refugees in Kenya and Local citizens in the drought-ravaged arid areas of the Country;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
The MV African Swan made its maiden call at the fast growing Kenya’s second port of Lamu Port, loaded with crucial food supplies to both refugees in Kenya and Local citizens in the drought ravaged arid areas in The Country.
The shipment includes 64,589 bags of yellow split peas, each weighing 50kg, and 80,000kgs of sorghum and is a humanitarian delivery destined for Northern Kenya, which has been grappling with severe drought conditions.
As a fitting tradition, the Captain of the Vessel was honored with a certificate of first call by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
Lamu Port’s proximity to these affected regions underscores its critical role in facilitating timely assistance, as emphasized by the KPA General Manager, Lamu Eng. Vincent Sidai and highlights its significance as a lifeline for those in need.
The beneficiaries of this assistance, according to WFP representatives will be Garissa and Daadab Refugee camp.
From there, the aid will be distributed further to Wajir, Mandera, and Moyale, onwards to Turkana County which is hosting the UNHCR Ifo refugee camp where it is urgently needed to alleviate food scarcity in the region.
To safely navigate the challenging currents of the Lamu channel, Monster Marine Tugs Mwokozi and Pate were instrumental in docking the heavy vessel.
It’s noteworthy that Lamu Port owns the Pate tug, while the Mwokozi a Multi-purpose Tug and Salvage master assisted in this critical operation.
Their expertise and equipment were crucial, especially considering the strong currents at this time of the year along the deep water and wide channel of Kililana in Lamu.
Again, Lamu Port is adding another page in its burgeoning growth, for sure like all ports do baby steps all the way.
Meanwhile Kenya Ports Authority has acquired four new ship to shore gantry cranes (STSs) to be installed at the Port of Mombasa.
The new generation STSs are replacing the recently decommissioned cranes at berth no. 16 and the
Modern cranes have superior features compared to the previous STSs.
They are fitted with twin lift spreaders; capable of handling two containers per move as opposed to the previous single lift.
This new equipment is expected to double berth productivity and reduce ship working time at berth no.16 by nearly 40%.
With the ongoing equipment upgrade initiative, KPA has also acquired new reach stackers, empty container handlers, terminal tractors among others to improve efficiency and keep up with the rising cargo volumes at the ports.
The Port of Lamu which recently acquired three new Harbour Mobile Cranes will also receive STSs.
ENDS;
