Floating library docks at port of Mombasa

Pomp and colour marked the arrival of  the largest floating book fair vessel which docked at the port of Mombasa in Mombasa county.

MV Logos Hope made historic visit at the port of Mombasa bringing business along the Likoni channel to a standstill when she was piloted in to dock.

Two Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] tugboats marshalled the floating library to dock at the famous Mbaraki Wharf with 5000 different book titles on board.

Those on board and those waiting to receive them at the Mbaraki Wharf waved at each other with their respective national flags amid tight security.

READ ALSO: Mombasa County Challenged to Build Dam to Tap Rain Water       

Local traditional dancers were at hand to give a warm reception to the 350 passengers drawn from 65 different countries who will be in Mombasa for 45 days.

Mombasa county executive member in charge of Tourism Mohamed Osman and his education counterpart  Mbwarali Kame, KPA General Manager Engineering Services Julius Tai, Inchape Shipping Services Limited Africa Area Manager Adrian Richter and Marine Service Manager Walid Timimi were at hand to welcome the visitors.

Members of the public will be able to select books of their choice from a wide array of genres including science, sports, hobbies among others for purchase.

Addressing the media on the arrival of the vessel which will be open to members of public on Thursday, Tai, who represented KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto, told  journalists the arrival of the vessel is significant not only for the port but for the country at large.

Start of Tourism Season

 He stated that the arrival of the vessel is a sign of starting of the tourism season earlier than they had expected.

“It’s good start for the tourism sector with the arrival of the vessel at the port of Mombasa,” he said.

The KPA General Manager Engineering Services reiterated that the vessel is the biggest floating library in the world.

Osman told the media the vessel has called back after 10 years at the port of Mombasa.

He urged county residents to make use of  the vessel through visiting the ship.

“Make use of MV Logos Hope when it is open to members of the public and to learn of its presence,” he pointed out.

On his part, Inchape Shipping Services Limited representative Evans Okello told the media they are the sole agents of the vessel across the world.

He added the vessel has two entrances to cope with visiting members of the public.

“Members of the public will have time to share samples of a variety of books on board,” he pointed out.

KPA principal corporate officer Haji Masemo told the media the vessel’s last port of call was in Seychelles before calling at the port of Mombasa.

He pointed out at the end of 46 days at the port of Mombasa the vessel will  sail to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“The main mission of the vessel is to move around the world to sell books on board,” he disclosed.   

About The Author