Kenya: Vessel Höegh Australis made her maiden call at the Port of Mombasa late Friday, Dec 26, 2025. It was a pure LNG powered vessel that marked the first arrival of a Liquefied Natural Gas–fuelled ship at Kenya’s main seaport.
Reportedly, the vessel has spent her Christmas at sea, in full throttle, and raced to meet Mombasa’s Ro-Ro’s tight berthing window. The vessel was piloted into the Port by Kenya Ports Authority Chief pilot Captain Suleiman Bakari, who represented KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto during the call.
As a tradition, a KPA plaque and certificate of first call were presented to the vessel’s master, Captain Edgar Paul P. Buhia, to commemorate the ship’s inaugural visit to the Port.
Considering the maiden call, Captain Bakari said the ship operates on 98% Liquefied Natural Gas, with the remaining 2% traditional bunker fuel used during engine start-up and specific operational requirements.
“This is a significant step toward cleaner shipping,” said Bakari and noted that LNG propulsion sharply reduces emissions compared with conventional marine fuels.
Höegh Australis is a 16-deck vessel and has a cargo capacity of about 9,000 units, aligning with new-generation pure car and truck carriers designed to move large volumes efficiently while meeting tighter environmental standards.
The ship’s master, Captain Buhia, said access to the port was good and described that the vessel’s experience at Mombasa remained positive. He said that the ship sailed from Singapore and has completed the voyage in 11 days.
LNG-powered ships are increasingly deployed as the global maritime industry and responds to stricter environmental rules under the International Maritime Organization. Compared with heavy fuel oil, LNG significantly reduces sulfur oxide and particulate emissions and lowers nitrogen oxides, while also cutting carbon dioxide output.
Many LNG vessels are built to be ammonia-ready, allowing future conversion to zero-carbon fuels as technology and supply chains mature. While ammonia-powered ships are beginning to enter service, infrastructure and safety standards remain a challenge.
LNG is widely viewed as a transition fuel as the industry works towards full decarbonization, though challenges remain, including fuel availability, infrastructure development and methane emissions.
The arrival of Höegh Australis confirms Mombasa Port’s growing capacity to accommodate next-generation, lower-emission vessels as global shipping accelerates its shift toward sustainability.