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KPA Acquires New Modern Multipurpose Tugboat For Sh. 1.9 Billion

KPA Acquires New Modern Multipurpose Tugboat For Sh. 1.9 Billion Featured

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.

Mwokozi 2, was given a water canon salute by a flotilla of tugs and pilot cutters depicting her maiden voyage to the port of Mombasa upon it's arrival.
 
 
The vessel has been constructed and equipped according to Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) requirements.

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.

"We received business requests even before the arrival of the tug-boat," he pointed out.     

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. 

The KPA officer assured the stakeholders the authority has the capacity to recover the sum spent  to acquire the tug-boat during its operations.

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.  

The captain who steered the tug into  the Kenyan waters from Turkey Erol Cosar confirmed  they spent 20 days at sea before their arrival.

He said the weather was favorable to them all the way from Turkey up to the point of delivery of the tug.  

"We are happy to arrive safely after ushering in the new year at sea," he pointed out.

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