Nairobi – The Port of Mombasa got a major boost following the arrival of two ultra-modern diesel electric cranes. According to the Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA), the acquisition of the equipment funded by TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) through the UK government’s International Climate Fund (ICF) facility.

The two $8.7 million portal harbour cranes are part of a comprehensive programme in supporting the port’s resilient port infrastructure initiatives, KPA added.

"These cranes are aimed at mitigating the negative effects on the environment,” the port authority said in the statement.

"The cranes will provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimises escape of dust during discharge and reduces running expenses on average by 30 per cent,” KPA said last week.

"The Eco Hoppers will complement mobile harbour cranes for dry bulk cargo handling,” it added.

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 for engineering services, Eng Joseph Atonga, Sudi Mwasinago, the in-charge of operations, and TMEA Kenya country director Ahmed Farah, witnessed the arrival of the equipment at the port’s Berth number 10.

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 one 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 five which increased capacity at the port. 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.