The Kenya Ports Authority has acquired a new modern, state-of-the-art tugboat to help boost it's operations.
The new tugboat christened 'Mkombozi' 2, RAstar 4200 built in Turkey at a cost of 1.9 billion shillings.
The high-performance Azimuth Stern Driven (ASD) , joins KPA fleet of tugboats to primarily offer salvage and harbour operations as well as complement other marine crafts crucial for tuggage services at the port.
Equipped with excellent maneuverability and packing a hefty 120 tonnes of bollard pull, the vessel with a length overall of 42 metres and maximum draft of 7.2 metres will deliver enhanced towing and ship handling services for vessels stuck at sea/ or with mechanical problems.
KPA General Manager Operation and Harbour Sudi Mwasingo who represented KPA acting Managing Director John Mwangemi said the newly acquired tug-boat will open new markets for port operators.
Sudi said the tug-boat will not only assist in salvage operations at sea but will also open a new market.
He was addressing the media during the reception of the new tug-boat at the new dockyard tug jetty along the port of Mombasa.
He said the minimal charge for a single mission to salvage a vessel in distress is Sh 300 million.
"The amount of money paid for one salvage mission is Sh 300 million," he pointed out.
He said the weather was favorable to them all the way from Turkey up to the point of delivery of the tug.
