A Ksh2 billion multi-purpose tugboat run by the Kenya Ports Authority has been nominated for an international marine award.
In a statement dated Thursday, September 8, KPA announced that MV Mwokozi II was listed as a contender for an award in the International Tug and Salvage Convention (ITSC) competition.
"Our salvage tug MV Mwokozi II (ER94) has been nominated in an international competition.
"Kindly vote online for KPA “Tugboat of the Year award” under 5th Category" the Authority stated.
The category recognises boats whose structural and operational features have caused ripples in the marine industry over the last year.
"The award is given to the owner, designer and builder of a tug, delivered in the last 12 months, that set industry benchmarks through innovative design and efficient operations," wrote ITSC.
The competition organizers described the boat designed by Robert Allan as the most powerful tug in terms of service on the East African coast
"The RINA-classed was built for operations at the Kenyan Port of Mombasa. Its duties include ship handling, coastal towing, and salvage operations. The vessel was custom-designed and has more than 120 tonnes of bollard pull," read its description.
It was listed alongside other watercraft including the SL Ibo, SL Matemo and SL Macaloe, Sparky, WS Centaurus and Spartan. KPA has asked Kenyans to vote for the boat.
Other categories in the competition include Innovation of the Year, Ports and Harbours Award, Safety Award, Salvage Company of the Year and Tugowner of the Year.
KPA acquired the boat on January 11 from Istanbul, Turkey, to primarily offer salvage and harbour operations. In addition, it is fitted with equipment that enables it to fight fires and be used to tow stalled boats.
"Equipped with excellent manoeuvrability and packing a heft bollard pull, the vessel will deliver enhanced towing and ship handling services for vessels stuck at sea or with mechanical problems," the authority added.
The tugboat also has two tanks for fuel and fresh water. The fuel tank has a capacity of 503 cubic meters and can hold fuel amounting to 509,000 litres of petrol while the water tank can hold 96,400 litres of water.
