Cargo handling at the port of Mombasa is set to be accelerated following the acquisition of new Ship-to-Shore gantry cranes also known as STSs.
The cranes, to be deployed to berth 16, boast of a hoisting speed of 80 meters per minute while lifting a maximum of 65 tonnes in a twin lift motion.
This outpaces the capabilities of old cranes that have been in operation for the last 19 years which held a hoisting speed of 70 meters per minute.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen who spoke during its offloading in Mombasa termed it a great achievement.
"This transition stands as a tangible testament to our adherence to the KPA equipment replacement policy, an embodiment of our dedication to efficiency and modernisation," he said.
The trolley speed of the modern giants clocks in at an impressive 240 meters per minute, compared to the previous 180 meters per minute.
The equipment also has a capacity of handling bigger vessels of 21 containers across compare to the previous which handled 18.
Last year, the Authority received three STSs which have been in operation in the newly completed berth 22.
Currently, the port now boasts 16 STSs and 25 Reach stackers and a fleet of 27 empty container handlers set to be procured.
Murkomen further stated plans are in place to procure three STSs for the Lamu port as part of the modernisation programme and capacity extension.
Cargo handling at the Mombasa port increased from 17.48 million tonnes in 2022 to an impressive 18.06 million tonnes this year.
On the other hand, container traffic jumped from 722,063 TEUs to 783,125 TEUs, signifying 8.5 per cent surge.
This, Murkomen noted, reflects the strategic dedication, "paving the way for promising growth".
"It underscores our unwavering commitment to progress," he said.
