Nairobi — The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has acquired four more Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) at the port of Mombasa.

The Chinese-made cranes were received at the second container terminal, where they are awaiting commission.

According to KPA managing director William Ruto, the four cranes will be focal in propelling the performance, efficiency, and competitiveness of the Mombasa port, which is projected to handle 1.8 million TEUs by the end of this year.

This comes a year after the Authority acquired four modern ship-to-shore gantry cranes mounted with spreaders that can handle two containers per move.

Ruto noted that the Authority's acquisition and expansion of "state-of-the-art equipment" has catalyzed the accelerating performance of the port.

According to KPA, the new cranes have a workload of 45 tons, a wheel span of 24 meters, and an engine drive capacity that consumes less fuel.

"The four cranes built on advanced technology have a Safe Working Load capacity of 45 tons, wheel span of 24 Meters, and engine drive capacity that consumes less fuel. They are manufactured by the Shanghai Zhenua Heavy Industries 'company ZPMC," it stated.