Kenya's First Internationally-Classed Newbuild

Southern Engineering Company of Kenya has completed the nation’s first locally-built and internationally-classed vessel – a 2,500dwt flat-bottomed barge. 

The vessel meets the standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) and will be deployed for transportation of heavy machinery and marine cargo along the East African coast. It will initially be used in the construction of Lamu Port. 

Seco’s Director in charge of Administration John Msafari told local media that 80 Kenyans were involved in the construction which took six months. Msafari sees the delivery as a milestone in Kenya and Mombasa’s quest to become a shipbuilding and marine service hub. 

In October last year, the company completed Albert Nile 1, a ferries built for Uganda which currently operates on Lake Albert. The company has also been commissioned by the Rwandan Energy Development Corporation to build a 14 meter (46 foot) research vessel.