Mombasa Shipyard | 3rd March 2026
Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL) has successfully completed and handed over MV Ikraam I, a Zanzibar-flagged passenger and cargo ferry owned by Ikraam Sealine Company Limited, following an intensive 18-day repair and maintenance program at the Mombasa Shipyard. The undocking ceremony, held at the slipway on Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, brought together senior officials from Ikraam Sealine’s headquarters in Zanzibar, KSL’s Head of Production Brigadier Peter Muthungu, General Manager Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Colonel Francis Mutiso, members of the technical team and staff of Kenya Shipyards Limited. In a speech delivered on his behalf by Brigadier Muthungu, KSL Managing Director Major General Said Mohammed Farah described the handover as more than the completion of a technical assignment. “Today, we stand on this slipway not merely to hand over a repaired vessel, but to mark the beginning of a new chapter in regional maritime cooperation,” he stated. He noted that the docking of MV Ikraam I symbolized cross-border trust and growing confidence in African maritime capability under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). When the vessel arrived in Mombasa, it required detailed engineering attention. It now returns to Zanzibar stronger, safer and fully prepared to continue serving island and mainland communities. The Managing Director thanked Ikraam Sealine for placing its confidence in KSL, describing the decision to dock in Mombasa as a strong endorsement of regional technical capacity. “By choosing Kenya Shipyards Limited, regional vessel owners benefit from reduced transit time, lower operational costs, world-class marine engineering expertise and reliable turnaround schedules,” the speech read.
He further emphasized that KSL is actively building a regional maritime repair corridor linking Zanzibar, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam into a network of technical excellence, reinforcing the ambition that no vessel from the region should look beyond Africa for quality marine engineering services. For Ikraam Sealine, the 18-day turnaround carried both operational and strategic importance. “Our assessment is extremely positive,” said Mr. Karama Jumaan Karama, General Manager of Ikraam Sealine Company Limited, during the ceremony. “From the first inspection to the final sea-readiness checks, we have witnessed professionalism, precision and discipline from the Kenya Shipyards Limited technical team.” He emphasized that MV Ikraam I is a lifeline vessel connecting Zanzibar, Pemba and mainland Tanzania, making safety and reliability paramount. Following joint technical evaluations, the company confirmed that the ferry had been restored stronger and safer. Initially cautious about timelines due to the financial implications of downtime, Ikraam Sealine expressed satisfaction with the delivery schedule. “KSL delivered within the agreed schedule of approximately 18 days, which is remarkable for the scope of works undertaken,” Mr. Karama noted. “By completing the repairs efficiently, KSL has saved us both time and operational costs.” He added that the experience demonstrates that African shipyards can compete globally on reliability and standards. “There is no reason for African vessels to look beyond Africa for quality repairs,” he said. Ikraam Sealine, which currently operates two vessels and is exploring fleet expansion opportunities, indicated that it would confidently recommend KSL to other operators within Zanzibar and the wider maritime network. As MV Ikraam I eased off the slipway and prepared to resume operations across
the Zanzibar channel, the ceremony concluded with renewed emphasis on regional partnership and the advancement of the Blue Economy. The Managing Director described the ferry as a lifeline connecting families, traders, students and workers across island and mainland communities. Its reliable return to service supports supply chains, tourism and everyday commerce which are practical elements of the Blue Economy realized in working ports and shipyards. This successful handover stands as a visible demonstration of East Africa’s growing maritime self-reliance, strengthened by local engineering talent, regional trust and shared continental trade ambitions. Kenya Shipyards Limited remains committed to serving, partnering and powering the Blue Economy across the region.
