Kenya: The Port of Lamu celebrated the arrival of the cruise ship MV SH Diana, that sailed from Zanzibar with 127 passengers on board, with 125 crew members.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) – Captain Ali Abdille and General Manager of Marine Operations, representing the KPA Managing Director – Captain William Ruto warmly received the ship at the Port of Mombasa.
It is a momentous occasion marked the second visit of the ship to the historic coastal town, since last year.
Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director – Capt. William Ruto was welcomed officially by the General Manager of Port of Lamu – Eng. Vincent Sidai.
On behalf of Managing Director Ruto, Eng. Sidai delivered a speech and praised the growing partnership between the Port of Mombasa and cruise shipping agents ‘Nisomar’, as well as Cruise line Swan Hellenic.
Capt. Ruto highlighted the steady increase in cruise passengers at both the Port of Lamu and Mombasa, attributing the success to the ports’ infrastructural development strategy that aims at creating a modern cruise terminal.
MD also emphasised the effective collaboration of the Authority with various government agencies, that has been vital in promoting cruise tourism and positioning Kenya’s coastline as a key tourist destination.
During the event, Lamu Governor – Issa Timamy, delivered a speech and expressed his gratitude towards the arrival of the second cruise ship. He described it as a significant step towards establishing Lamu as a premier cruise destination in the region.
He said that the County Government would prioritize security to foster tourism growth in the area. Eng. Sidai was accompanied by the Principal Officer – Mohamed Mwazuzu and other stakeholders. All of those who shared in the excitement of the occasion.
MV SH Diana anchored in Lamu at 6:00 a.m. was piloted by KPA Pilot Capt. Abdulaziz Mzee. Operated by Swan Hellenic and Nisomar Shipping Lines, the vessel, launched in the year 2023.
The Lamu Port is measured as 124 metres in length with a draft of 5.7 meters and features state-of-the-art hospitality facilities.
The luxury expedition cruise vessel MV SH Diana was expected to carry more than 184 passengers at the Port of Mombasa. It will depart for an adventurous sea voyage to the Seychelles, Maputo in Angola and other ports within the Europe.
As per the sources, this is the second visit of the vessel to the Port of Mombasa which underscores the effective efforts that are made to revitalize the cruise tourism sector in the region.
MV SH Diana, launched in 2023, spans 124 meters in length with a draft of 5.7 meters, provides a luxurious travel experience for the guests.
Notably, the welcoming ceremony of the cruise ship brought together the tourism industry players, who are representatives from the Country Government of Mombasa and various Government agencies in the tourism sector.