KPA acquires Sh3.7bn cranes to boost Lamu, Mombasa ports operations

The Kenya Ports Authority-KPA has purchased five Harbor Mobile Cranes-HMCs worth Over Sh.3.7 billion shillings for the Lamu and Mombasa ports in a move aimed at improving operational efficiency at the two ports.

The state-of-the-art cranes were all manufactured in Germany and are meant to improve the efficiency and capacity of operations at the two facilities.

Three of the cranes were on Monday offloaded at the Lamu port grounds in the Kilalana area from aboard the MV United Heavy Lift-UHL Finesse while three have been shipped to the Mombasa port.

All the cranes have a lifting capacity of 100 tonnes, a specification which will enable the port’s capability to handle larger cargo vessels.

Speaking when he oversaw the offloading of the cranes at the Lamu port, the KPA Manager for Engineering Projects and Inspection Felix Ong’wen expressed confidence that the two new cranes will greatly enhance the capabilities of the growing port.

With the new additions, the Lamu Port now boasts a total of four harbour mobile cranes since the facility only had two since its operationalization in May 2021.

He however explained that the new cranes are a much needed addition because they are both electric and hydraulic compared to the current ones which are more hydraulic.

“Previously, the port only had two cranes which were mostly hydraulic and have been in use for over five years now. The new ones however are more efficient because they are both electric and hydraulic. They are new meaning we expect less breakdowns and more mileage in terms of work done,” said Ong’wen.

The engineer stated that the delivery of new cranes at the port marks a major milestone which will go a long way in attracting more vessels and shipping companies to the port.

“The new HMCs will definitely enhance the capabilities of the port because we are going to be able to have even larger cargo ships calling in at the port now that we have enough capacity to offload and load,” he said.

The KPA Manager in charge of Conventional Cargo Engineering, Swaleh Karuwa said the authority remains committed to enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the Lamu and Mombasa ports through investment in modern infrastructure.

“These cranes are enough proof of the continuous growth and development of Kenya’s maritime sector, opening up new opportunities for trade and economic prosperity. For a growing port like Lamu, this marks a large milestone,” said Karuwa.

The Lamu Port Senior Maintenance Engineer Joseph Nyachwaya expressed optimism that the presence of reliable infrastructure at the port will encourage more vessels to use the facility.

He said the arrival of the HMCs marks a significant step forward in Lamu County’s journey to become a major maritime hub in the region.

He revealed that a total of 22 ships have since called at the Lamu port since it was operationalized in 2021 adding that the numbers are expected to go up with the delivery of the new cranes.

“We are definitely going to have more shops coming in as the KPA continues to invest in more modern infrastructure to boost efficiency. Operations like loading and offloading will be faster than ever before. We will therefore be able to serve more vessels,” said Nyachwaya.

The Lamu port is Sh.310 billion transhipment facility and is one of the flagship infrastructure projects under Kenya’s vision for 2030.

The port is touted as a major transport corridor linking the new and modern Port of Lamu with Garissa, Isiolo, Maralal, Lodwar, and Lokichogio.