The Port of Mombasa has received the longest ship to ever dock at the facility.
The Italian ship, MV Ital Mattina, measuring 264 metres arrived at 11pm on Monday night carrying cargo.
According to Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Catherine Mturi, the other long ship the port has received was MSC TIA measuring 261 metres.
She hailed Evergreen Shipping Line for bringing the vessel to Mombasa saying this was not only an endorsement of the country as safe, but also a display of confidence in the facility’s service delivery.
Mturi noted that the shipping line, which has been making calls for the last ten years, is among the best performers.
She stated that other outstanding performance records are by MSC Namibia, which holds the best per hook performance of 354 moves in a shift and Maersk vessel Clemence Shulte, which she said holds the best 24 hour performance record of 2018 moves.
Mturi assured the shipping line that KPA management would continue to achieve what is required to ensure that the facility performs to internationally acceptable standards.
Additionally, she challenged the shipping line to bring bigger and longer vessels saying that KPA has constructed berth number 19 to add 240 meters to the existing container terminal quay length bringing total length to 840 meters. Berth number 19 is 13.5 meters deep while the rest are 12.5 meters.
Mturi was categorical that the works would soon start on the second phase which has already received approval of the parliament.
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