[Kenya] New eco hoppers boost to cargo handling at Mombasa port
Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) equipment acquisition efforts for the Port of Mombasa has received a major boost following the arrival of four eco hoppers.
The Four new eco hoppers supplied by Samson Materials Handling Limited are the first equipment of their kind not only in Kenya but also the entire East and Central Africa region.
The eco hoppers funded by TradeMark East Africa through the UK government’s International Climate Fund (ICF) were procured at a total cost of $ 6.2 Million. TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) has supported port improvements particularly in mitigation and adaptation to climatic change impacts through the Mombasa Resilient Infrastructure Programme (MRIP) which is financed fully by DFID.
The program aims to transform the port of Mombasa into a modern and competitive regional hub that is more productive with efficient operations in a sustainable environment.
Successful delivery and discharge of the eco hoppers completes in part the implementation plan of the Green Port Policy developed and adopted in 2014/15.
Currently, there are no portal cranes for handling dry bulk cargo and ships use their own winches at the Port of Mombasa. The use of ship cranes is slow, leading to long berthing periods of 5 days per ship and higher costs to the vessel operators, and ultimately consumers.
This causes long waiting times for trucks waiting to be loaded, which on average lasts 3-4 hours.
This will empower the Port to handle two vessels at a time instead of the present one. The hoppers will be designed to suit the characteristics and flow properties of virtually any bulk material, from coal to clinker, sulphur to iron ore.
The eco hoppers will provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimizes escape of dust during discharge and reduces running expenses on average by 30%. The Eco Hoppers will complement mobile harbour cranes for dry bulk cargo handling.
This will lead to a reduction in average actual ship time in port for bulk vessels to an average of 2.9 days compared 5 days enabling Kenya Ports Authority to achieve the 4 days ship turnaround time target for bulk vessels stipulated within the Mombasa Port Community Charter.
Moreover, improved sanitation, better energy and effective emission controls will also empower KPA to attain the International Maritime Organisation goal of reducing CO2 emissions by a maximum of 75% on existing and new ships through technical and operational measures by 2050.
This is an International Maritime Organisation requirement under IMO 2009/2010.
The proposed efficiency gains will catalyse a savings in port charges estimated at USD 30,000 per day for large vessels calling at Mombasa Port and eliminate ship demurrage (ship detention charges) payable by cargo receivers.
The Government of Kenya has made it a priority to continually invest in infrastructural development of the Port of Mombasa and made progress in the modernisation of the Port.
Some of the key projects include the construction of the phase 1 of the Second Container Terminal which increased the port’s annual capacity by 550,000 TEUs, the construction of Berth No. 19, and the dredging of the entrance channel which has enabled the Port to handle larger vessels.
TMEA has been working closely with KPA to implement short-term and high impact projects including the improvement of Gate 18/20 which enhanced Port access as well as the upgrading of Yard 5 which increased capacity at the Port.
KPA through support from TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) has developed a green port policy which seeks to position the Port of Mombasa as a leading world port providing sound stewardship and management of the environment affected by port operations.
The strategy highlights the need to place people first, while addressing the negative impacts occasioned by port operations as well placing a premium on technology-rich and sustainable port operations.
