The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has unveiled a series of green port initiatives at the Port of Mombasa as part of efforts to reduce emissions and modernise operations amid growing regional maritime traffic.
The changes come following the maiden docking of the CMA CGM Adventure vessel at the port on Monday, May 25. The ship operates primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG), offering a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel-powered vessels.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto said the arrival of environmentally friendly vessels reflects a broader shift in the global shipping industry as ports move towards cleaner and more sustainable operations.
“These vessels are now the norm as the industry goes green and champions sustainability and conservation of the environment,” he said.
According to KPA, there are ongoing massive renovations of the Port of Mombasa designed to maximize efficiency while ensuring that it becomes an environmentally-friendly regional port.
The first change to occur is the implementation of the shore power technology enabling ships at the port to switch off their diesel engines and connect to the electrical power supplied by the shore.
Furthermore, there are ongoing renovations involving the increased use of solar energy at all port locations as well as replacement of the older equipment used for cargo handling with hybrid cranes.
The most recent developments are taking place in response to growing volume of regional shipments and international ships arriving in the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.
The Port of Mombasa is also set to expand further due to the plans announced by the French government to invest more than KSh106 billion into upgrading two port terminals.
It is believed that this project will enhance the capacity of the ports as well as the entire freight-handling infrastructure linking Kenya to other regions.
