KPA Dredging Channel to Allow in Bigger Vessels
Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] is in the process of dredging its channel to allow more bigger vessels to dock at the port of Mombasa.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto said they have advanced plans to dredge minus 16 meters.
He defended the state corporation’s plans saying the move to dredge minius 16 meters at the channel will allow in big vessels during high tide.
“The current channel has a draft of 14.5 meters which was put on a litmus test,” he pointed out.
He was speaking during the reception of an oil tanker MT Marlin Sardini, which made its maiden call at Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT II) at the Port of Mombasa in Mombasa county.
The KPA MD told journalists the vessel is the biggest the authority has so far handled.
Captain Ruto argued there is no point of leaving a small clearance at the channel for the vessels on transit.
He pointed out they required more than three meters at the channel for the vessels to tansit.
“The oil tanker Captain, Boris Melnikov, was able to turn safely,” he pointed out.
He added that the vessel’s captain can attest to his remarks and urged investors to make the port of Mombasa a transshipment hub.
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