MT Marlin Sardinia: Largest vessel docks at new Kipevu Oil Terminal in Mombasa

The Mombasa Port has solidified its position as a crucial gateway for East and Central Africa following the arrival of the MT Marlin Sardinia, the largest vessel to dock at the Second Kipevu Oil Terminal since its commissioning.

The vessel, arriving from the United Arab Emirates, delivered 121,403 metric tons of automotive gas oil, with 40 per cent of this cargo destined for the transit market. This arrival marks a significant achievement for the port, highlighting its strategic importance in the region's logistics and supply chain network.

In April 2022, the Kenyan government initiated the first test run of oil dispatch at the facility. The terminal, consisting of four berths with a total length of 770 meters and a work boat wharf at the Westmont area for landing facilities, is designed to enhance the port's capacity. The berths can handle six different hydrocarbon products, including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), crude, and heavy fuel oil, as well as three white oil products: DPK (aviation fuel), AGO (diesel), and PMS (petrol).

Captain William Ruto, Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Farhiya Hussein)

Captain William Ruto, Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), highlighted the significance of this milestone and the terminal's capacity. "This terminal is capable of handling ships of up to 170,000 deadweight tons. The MT Marlin Sardinia, which weighs 156,600 metric tons and spans 275 meters in length and 48 meters in width, equivalent to two and a half football pitches, demonstrates our capability to manage large-scale vessels," he stated.

The Second Kipevu Oil Terminal, a modern facility, aims to attract more significant maritime traffic to the region. The ongoing dredging of the port's channel is part of KPA's broader strategy to accommodate even larger vessels in the future.

Captain Ruto extended an invitation to regional and international investors to leverage the port's capabilities.

"We want to pride ourselves on continuing to support the business community and investors in this country. We welcome them to bring more cargo to this modern facility and invest in making Mombasa a shipment hub for their products," he said. "We are committed to building more storage facilities to handle increased volumes of products, catering to the market needs of East and Central Africa."

Photos of the largest vessel docking at the Kipevu Terminal II at the Mombasa port on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Farhiya Hussein)

The arrival of MT Marlin Sardinia marks a significant achievement for the Mombasa Port, reflecting its strategic importance in the region's logistics and supply chain network.

"As KPA continues to enhance the port's infrastructure, the facility is expected to play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and facilitating trade across East and Central Africa," Ruto added.

In April 2024, the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and Kenya Ports Authority signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the operations and maintenance of the Sh40 billion new Kipevu Oil Terminal 2 (KOT 2). This move aligns with a presidential directive for synergising the two-state corporations.

KPC Chairperson Faith Boinett termed the signing a milestone that will open the country to regional businesses and employment opportunities. Her KPA counterpart, Benjamin Tayari, said the agreement would remove bottlenecks that resulted in inefficiencies.

The enhanced cooperation between KPC and KPA is expected to streamline operations and significantly boost the port’s efficiency, thereby contributing to the broader economic landscape of the region.