Recent dredging works in the Mombasa channel enabled the accommodation of the biggest ever container vessel, according to AllAfrica.
The channel has been dredged to a depth of 15.0 meters in the inner channel, with a width of 300 meters in the narrowest point. Also works on the turning basin have deepened it to 15.0 meters and widened it to 500 meters.
The MSC Jade was able to enter the channel and berth at the port. This is the biggest container ship so far, with a weight of 36,517 tons, a draft of 11.9 meters, and a length of 241 metres.
The Dutch company Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors is carrying out the dredging project, which is expected to finish in early April 2012, four months ahead of schedule.
Bigger ships will be able to enter the port after the dredging projects are completed.
Bernard Osero, public relations manager, said that the dredging was initially meant to provide capacity for the second container terminal whose construction has began, but that the Mombasa container terminal will enjoy great benefits from the project as well.
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Dredging Today Staff, April 3, 2012; Image: vanoord