This archive report was first published on 5 January 2022.
On December 1, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the Mombasa Shipyard, marking a significant milestone in Kenya's journey to become a ship-building nation.
The new shipyard has a capacity to handle 4,000-tonne vessels and will offer employment to over 10,000 Kenyans, making it a transformative project that will enable Kenya attain its ambition to be an industrial economy.
With a capacity to handle large vessels, the shipyard will play a crucial role in advancing the country's industrial and maritime agenda, particularly in the Blue Economy sector, which is currently valued at over Ksh 400 billion, roughly 4 per cent of GDP.
The project is also a major boost for the Vision 2030 national industrialization strategy, which aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country by 2030.
According to experts, the shipyard will have a transformative impact on the country's economy, creating thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, through the maritime transport supply chain.
The shipyard will also integrate into sea mining and fishing activities, construction of offshore infrastructure and aquaculture facilities, making it a critical infrastructure supporting the country's shipping and security needs.
Already, many young Kenyans have undergone training in specialized welding and other high-value activities, and the shipyard is expected to save the country an estimated Ksh 6.8 billion spent on servicing its marine equipment overseas.
The multi-agency approach behind the shipyard, involving various State agencies, is a classic example of how various State agencies can work seamlessly in delivering critical national infrastructure in a timely, cost-effective and transparent manner.
Through the Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), established through an Executive Order in 2018, Kenya is positioned to emerge as the new ship-building hub in Africa, serving public and private, domestic and regional clients.
The Mombasa shipyard will also transform the coastal economy by opening up the region to new investments, particularly in the fisheries industry, which employs many locals.
