Mombasa Port Makes History as Japanese Ship With 65% Lower Emissions Docks

The port of Mombasa has made history after receiving a Japanese ship fueled by methanol, cutting emissions by 65 per cent in efforts to become an eco-friendly port.

MV Green Future docked at the port on Tuesday, November 10, marking a significant milestone in the maritime industry's efforts to embrace cleaner energy and reduce carbon emissions.

In a statement, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) said the ship's arrival highlights the growing commitment by global shipping and port operators to adopt and deploy more environmentally sustainable vessels to reduce the industry's carbon footprint.

"MV Green Future, the first-ever methanol-fuelled bulk carrier, called the Port of Mombasa on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the maritime industry's efforts to embrace cleaner energy and reduce carbon emissions," KPA stated.

"The arrival of the vessel underscores the growing commitment by global shipping and port operators to adopt and deploy more environmentally sustainable vessels to reduce the industry's carbon footprint," it added.

The ship runs on low-carbon methanol, which can reduce gas emissions by approximately 65 per cent compared with other ships that traditionally use conventional heavy fuel oil.

The move comes six months after KPA revealed major changes in operations and structure at the Port of Mombasa, in a move to secure its position as a climate-smart hub amid a rise in the number of ships docking at the port.

The authority rolled out its Green Ports Policy, introducing sweeping infrastructure upgrades across East Africa's largest gateway.

Central to the changes is the introduction of a shore power technology system that allows massive international cargo liners to completely turn off their noisy, high-emission diesel engines while docked and plug directly into land-based electricity.

Additionally, the authority is also rapidly expanding solar energy installations across its port facilities to supplement traditional power sources, while gradually phasing out older, fuel-hungry machinery in favour of hybrid cargo-handling cranes.

According to KPA Managing Director William Ruto, arrival of environmentally friendly ships was no longer a luxury but a new shift for the industry as global regulatory standards tighten.

"These vessels are now the norm as the industry goes green and champions sustainability and conservation of the environment," he stated.