VESSEL REVIEW | Uhuru II – New Kenya-built ferry to transport passengers and freight via Lake Victoria

Kenya Shipyards (KSL) has completed construction of a new freight and passenger ferry for operation in Lake Victoria.

Uhuru II was built by KSL in collaboration with Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Gorinchem. The ferry was built in response to the high demand for freight services within the lake region and to augment other vessels already serving the same routes.

The newbuild has a welded steel hull, an LOA of 100 metres, a beam of 18 metres, a draught of 2.6 metres, and capacity for 1,063 tonnes of freight including dry, rail, and vehicle cargo on the main deck in addition to passengers. Loading and unloading are done via a ramp at the stern.

Two Caterpillar 3500 four-stroke diesel engines deliver a cruising speed of 14 knots. The vessel’s piping system is carefully designed to ensure that the oil is delivered to the engines at the correct pressure and temperature, which helps to maximise the engines’ efficiency and performance.

The engines are also equipped with cooling systems and advanced control systems that enable the crew to monitor their performance in real time. This helps the crew adjust the engines’ settings if necessary in order to optimise their performance and ensure that they are operating at their peak efficiency.

The interior spaces are fitted with fixed and portable fire suppression equipment.

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