Provincial
Ferries’ arrival postponed again
New ferries are unlikely to arrive in Mombasa before Christmas, a Kenya Ferry Service official has said.
The only activity planned in December is the departure of ferry workers for Germany to familiarise themselves with the operations of the new vessels.
Kenya Ferry Services managing director Isaac Kamau said the arrival of the new ferries in January will open up trade with southern Africa and boost investors’ confidence in south Coast.
Speaking from his Likoni jetty office on Tuesday, Mr Kamau said the ferries “would be ready for those planning to drive to South Africa for the World Cup bonanza’’.
“The Likoni channel is a vital link to the southern countries for Kenya, Uganda, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.
He was confident that congestion at the 500 metre-wide channel would be eased when mv Kwale and mv Likoni start operations.
About 10 employees are slated for further training to familiarise themselves with the new vessels.
The team comprising electrical and mechanical technicians and coxswains, will leave the country on December 26 for Germany.
“They will spend about two weeks training to handle the 70-metre ferries with a capacity of 60 vehicles and 1,500 people,” he said.
Immediately the ferries arrive in Mombasa, Mr Kamau added, the same personnel would undergo further training on how to use the ferries at the Likoni channel according to contract specifications.
“The two ferries are wider by 16 metres than mv Nyayo, mv Kilindini and mv Harambee,” he said.
Mr Kamau said he did not know exactly when the ferries would arrive, but that they would be loaded on special vessels which will bring them to Mombasa immediately the employees complete the training on January 8, 2010.
The Likoni channel has become a nightmare for travellers due to frequent breakdown of the five old ferries.
On Wednesday, there was a scare when one ferry stalled midstream and passengers had to be moved to another ferry.
The increased number of commuters from 150,000 to almost 200,000 and more than 3,000 vehicles daily has put pressure on the ageing ferries, some of which are more than 30 years old.
Mr Kamau explained that the demand for ferry service at the channel had forced the management to carry out only mechanical and electrical repairs and hardly any “thorough maintenance repairs”.
RSS