By Joab Apollo
Kenya has opened the largest shipbuilding station in Sub-Saharan Africa, seen as a game changer in the country’s emerging ocean and blue economy.
Speaking during the commissioning of the 4000-ton Kenya Shipyards Limited’s Mombasa Shipyard on Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the facility will create job opportunities and transform Kenya’s port city of Mombasa into a shipping station.
“The direct, indirect and induced impacts of the Mombasa Shipyard will create many jobs, generate diverse investment opportunities and raise revenue for the country.” He said
” The key sub-sectors of the blue economy, which includes maritime transport and logistics, fisheries, as well as ship building and repair represents low hanging fruits that must be exploited.” He added
The first assignment of the yard, built by the Kenyan military, will be the refitting of the 1997 Kenya Navy tanker, dubbed KNS Shupavu. It also operates the much-touted Kisumu Shipyard where it is constructing MV Uhuru 2 Wagon ferry as well as rehabilitating 31 Kenya Railways locomotives.
Host Governor, Ali Hassan Joho, said that: “We are surely on track and making great strides towards achieving full potential in the blue sector economy.’