Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), in partnership with Karnafuly Ship Builders Limited (KSBL), officially commenced construction of a 29.05-metre shallow draught ferry for the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) with a keel laying ceremony held at Kisumu Shipyard on 18 June 2025. This significant occasion was graced by the Defence Cabinet Secretary Hon. Soipan Tuya.
The ceremony, hosted by the Managing Director KSL, Maj Gen S M Farah, marked the formal recognition of the start of the ferry’s construction. In line with international maritime traditions and standards, keel laying remains one of the four celebrated milestones in the life of a marine vessel, alongside floatation or launching, commissioning, and eventual decommissioning. The tradition, which dates back centuries, is also widely believed to bring good fortune to the construction of the Ship and throughout her service life.
Present were Hon Hassan Joho, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Governor of Homa Bay County H.E Gladys Wanga, Deputy Governor of Kisumu County H.E Dr Matthew Ochieng, Principal Secretary Defence Dr Patrick Mariru, Principal Secretary State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs Aden Millah, Managing Directors, Kenya Ports Authority Capt Ruto, Kenya National Shipping Line Mr Abdalla Hatimy, Kenya Fishing Industry Corporation Dr Mikah O Nyaberi, Director General Kenya Coast Guard Service Mr Bruno I Shioso, and Lake Basin Development Authority, CPA Wycliffe Ochiaga.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the keel-laying ceremony is a pivotal milestone in Kenya’s shipbuilding journey, fostering a thriving maritime industry at the Port of Kisumu. She highlighted its significance as a strategic maritime investment, a link between defense and industry, and a foundation for self-reliance, setting Kenya on course to become a regional hub for shipbuilding and marine engineering. She also said that Kenya Shipyards achievements in recent years and months, aligns perfectly with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) plan that seeks to create high value jobs and wealth by opening new value chains. The shipbuilding value chain holds very high potential for leapfrogging the country’s industrial revolution.
The KSL Managing Director also emphasized that the new ferry will improve connectivity, reduce transport costs, and boost trade across Lake Victoria. With ferry services already serving key ports, growing demand makes this project a timely and essential solution for safe, reliable mobility in the region.
Classified under Bureau Veritas, the ferry aims to improve effective, dependable, and safe travel on Lake Victoria. The ship will satisfy both passenger and cargo transportation requirements, hence enhancing regional commerce and intermodal connectivity.
Ship construction is executed through a phased and highly coordinated process, beginning with the development of customer technical specifications. This is followed by engineering designs, procurement of materials, modular assembly, outfitting, surface treatment and painting, sea trials, commissioning, and the final delivery of the vessel to the owner. The keel laying ceremony represents the transition from preparatory work to visible construction, as the modular components of the vessel begin to take form in the Shipyard.
Established in September 2020 under the Ministry of Defence, KSL is charged with delivering worldclass marine vessels, including ship construction, refits and repairs for both the public and private sectors, as well as carrying out heavy engineering and civil works.
The organization is anchored on core values of integrity, professionalism, team spirit, and excellence. Its five strategic pillars continue to guide its operations as it works toward enhancing national self-reliance, industrial capacity, and maritime capability.
This keel laying not only signifies the birth of a new ferry but also signals continued momentum in the establishment of a sovereign shipbuilding industry.
For official communication and media enquiries, please contact:
Corporate Communications Division
Kenya Shipyards Limited
+254 (0) 726277377
