First LNG-powered ship from Singapore docks at port in historic call
SINGAPORE : The Port of Mombasa has marked a historic milestone by receiving the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)–powered vessel to dock at an East African port. The move signalled a huge leap toward cleaner, greener maritime transport in the region.
The Norwegian-flagged Roll-On/Roll-Off (Ro-Ro) vehicle carrier, Höegh Australis, arrived from Singapore on Boxing Day. It measures 200 metres in length and 37.84 metres in width, boasts a capacity of 9,304 vehicles across 16 decks and is scheduled to discharge 824 motor vehicles and accessories destined for Kenya and its neighbouring landlocked countries.
Unique features of the LNG-powered ship in Mombasa
What makes the Höegh Australis particularly noteworthy is its fuel technology. The one-year-old vessel runs on 98 per cent LNG, using only two per cent conventional bunker fuel during engine start-up and specific operations.
This approach drastically reduces emissions compared to traditional marine fuel, including sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide.
Many LNG vessels are now being built ammonia-ready, allowing future conversion to zero-carbon fuels, positioning LNG as a transitional fuel as the maritime industry moves toward full decarbonisation.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Chief Pilot Captain Suleiman Bakari personally guided the ship from the outer anchorage to berth number one while representing KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto.
He hailed the arrival as a historic event, describing Höegh Australis as the largest vessel ever to dock at a Kenyan port and a key step in implementing KPA’s Green Port Policy, which aligns with Kenya’s national clean energy objectives.
KPA commits to quality, green shipping
He emphasised KPA’s commitment to providing quality service to shipping and logistics firms, noting that the port is increasingly capable of handling next-generation, eco-friendly vessels.
Shipping stakeholders have welcomed the vessel’s arrival as a milestone for the maritime industry in East Africa.
Socopao Kenya Limited Regional Manager Satish Nair urged wider adoption of LNG and other green energy solutions, highlighting the low-emission benefits of such vessels.
The vessel’s captain, Edgar Paul, expressed his gratitude to KPA pilots for their seamless guidance, noting that this was his first command of an LNG-powered ship and his inaugural call at the Port of Mombasa.
Globally, LNG-powered vessels are gaining popularity as maritime industries respond to stricter International Maritime Organisation environmental regulations.
LNG technology hugely reduces harmful emissions and is considered a practical bridge toward zero-carbon shipping, even as ammonia-fuelled ships gradually enter service.