Zanzibar’s MV Ikraam vessel leaving Kenya for Tanzania after major renovations at the Mombasa shipyard
Marine Vessel, MV Ikraam I of Zanzibar, which had been undergoing rehabilitation in Mombasa has sailed out of the Kenyan port back to the Tanzanian Isles.
MV Ikraam I, Sealine, a vessel which is eight years old, is reported to be now stronger, safer and ready to serve the people of Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania.
The IKRAAM I 9848962 is a Passenger Car Carrier, built in 2018. The ship is 72 meters long with a beam measuring 16 meters.
The ship’s recent successful repair at Kenya Shipyards Limited was described to be more than just maintenance.
“This is proof that East Africa can engineer its own maritime future under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” reads a statement from the Kenya Shipyards Limited.
According to the Kenyan ship builders, the Zanzibar vessel has been revamped with more powerful motors and aerodynamics and now boasts reduced transit time and lower operational costs, all being packed in world-class finishing expertise.
“The regional maritime repair corridor is no longer an ambition — it is operational,” the builders stated.
MV Ikraam I, with the Tanzanian flag, had officially docked at Kenya Shipyards Limited’s Mombasa port base, a few months ago to undergo serious repairs.
Owned by Ikraam Sealine Company Limited, the Tanzanian passenger Ro-Ro ferry’s arrival at Mombasa signaled growing regional confidence in Kenya’s maritime engineering expertise.
Among the works that had been undertaken on MV Ikraam I at the Mombasa Shipyard include, fitting of the anchor and restoring holding power. Prow works aligned with approved structural specifications and fitting the Propellers as well as getting a paint job.
The ship rehabilitation also entailed marine-grade finishes and mechanical precision; successful Repairing of the Radar, where the full system had been tested, to ensure that it is now functioning effectively and restoring full radar transmission and reception capability.
Other works done on the Zanzibar ship at the Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL) include the touch up of the radar up-mast power board for the transceiver unit, where the technicians managed to restore the transceiver unit.
This apparently, ensures reliable signal transmission and accurate target detection.
The benefits are enhanced situational awareness, collision avoidance and maritime safety.