The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have announced to have completed construction of modern docking point at the marine dockyard in Mombasa County to improve the availability of water vessels.
Head of Marine Engineering, Stephen Toya made the announcement and said that the jetty aims to improve availability of water vessels. Construction of the new one follows the demolition of the 70-year-old iconic jetty in 2020 indicating a new era for the ship docking area.
The old jetty no longer supported the emerging loads placed on it and hence did not meet modern design standards and specifications. It, was unsafe, and currently was at its most critical damaged state in the year 2010. The new jetty constructed at a cost of Sh 500million is 50 metres long by 20.64 metres wide while its access trestle is 14.8 metres by 11.14 metres.
Boosts efficiency
The facility is set to last 80 years and is, therefore, a critical feature of port and marine operations into the future. The project is scheduled for commissioning next month. According to the Mr. Stephen Toya maximum availability of floating crafts is crucial to ship turnaround time as it boosts efficiency and cuts costs.
Previously, dockyard engineers were compelled to book an empty berth as a makeshift jetty to undertake repair of marine crafts which was not convenient given berths are meant for ships to spur productivity.
“At any given time, we can secure two boats alongside new tug jetty for repair and return them to business. Now we have the luxury of moving heavy lifts cranes to the quay to lift smaller mooring boats or entire engines to shore for repair,” said Mr. Toya.
