Kenya: The IAPH World Ports Conference comes to a closure after three days of sharing knowledge and best practices that will drive the future of the shipping and maritime industry.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) delegation was led by the Managing Director – Captain William Ruto and GM Corporate Services – Edward Kamau met and engaged the IAPH team was led by the President and CEO of Hafen Hamburg port Jens Meir and his counterpart Managing Director – Patrick Verhoeven.
Visit was concluded by the delegates with a tour of the Port of Hafen Hamburg which was the only largest seaport in Germany and the third largest in Europe.
Reportedly, the annual IAPH World Ports Conference kicked off on October 08, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. Industry experts, Port operators and stakeholders from teh Ports and Shipping Industry will deliberately focus on the future of the industry with the theme Managing Risks – unlocking opportunities – building experience.
The KPA – MD Captain William Ruto spoke on Green Fuels and Defossilised Ports by giving insights on renewable energies and greening initiatives by Kenya Ports Authority for sustainable port operations.
As per the sources, Kenya Ports Authority is a member of the International Association of Ports and Harbours which is a global alliance of ports. It represents 185 ports and 160 port related businesses in 88 countries.
The port members together handled more than 60% of the world’s sea-borne trade and over 60% of the world container traffic.
Earlier, in the year 2015, KPA developed the first Green Port Policy (GPP), a commitment to environmental conservation and mitigation of pollution for sustainable port operations.
The GPP was revised in the year 2023 and since then KPA has advanced the implementation of various initiatives including the generation of over 750 kwh of green energy at the Port of Mombasa from solar power, which has significantly reduced the cost of power and operation and also the cost of maintenance.
KPA is shifting towards e-mobility with the acquisition of modern and environment friendly port equipment with hybrid technology. As the recent acquisition of 18-hybrid Ruber Tyred Gantry Cranes. The authority is also in the process of acquiring electric forklifts.
It is also piloting the provision of shore power to vessels at the Port of Mombasa with focus on marine crafts majorly beginning with pilot boats. The project will commence in December 2024.
Notably, the national government has developed a Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, several investors have expressed interest in generation of hydrogen at the Port of Mombasa.