Kenya Ports Authority to boost efficiency with purchase of four new cranes

The Kenya Ports Authority has purchased four new cranes to improve the efficiency of its cargo handling operations. This is consistent with the port's continuing initiative to upgrade and modernise its equipment.

The four Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes, valued at roughly Sh1.1 billion ($8.5 million), have sophisticated technology and a fuel-efficient motor.

According to the government, the cranes have a safe operating load capability of 45 tonnes and would minimise cargo handling time.

"The arrival of the new cranes will boost efficiency on cargo dwell time and subsequently improve vessel turnaround," KPA stated on their X handle.

The new cranes are awaiting commissioning after being discharged at the second terminal.

In efforts to make the port competitive in the region, last year KPA acquired four modern Ship to Shore Gantry cranes mounted with spreaders that handle two containers per move.

The acquisition of new equipment, as well as improvements in ship waiting time and turnaround, are among the continuous reforms that make Mombasa Port more appealing than competitors.

According to the KPA Managing Director William Ruto, Mombasa Port has undergone an impressive performance and is expected to handle 1.8 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) by the end of this year. Some of the measures that he attributes to this result are the expansion of key berths and the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment.

The total cargo handled at the Mombasa Port has increased by six per cent. In 2023, the port posted 2.08 million more metric tons compared to 33,879,542 tons recorded in 2022.

Kenya expects this figure to rise based on first-half figures. 227,135 (TEUs) of transshipment freight was handled in the first six months of 2024, compared to 91,750 TEUs in the same period in 2023.