MOMBASA, Kenya-Dec 27, 2025- The pure Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)–powered vessel Höegh Australis made her maiden call at the Port of Mombasa late Friday, marking the first arrival of an LNG-fueled ship at Kenya’s main seaport.
The vessel, which spent Christmas at sea en-route to Kenya, was piloted into the port by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Chief Pilot Captain Suleiman Bakari, who represented KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto during the historic call.
As is tradition, KPA presented the vessel’s master, Captain Edgar Paul Buhia, with a Plaque and Certificate of First call to commemorate Höegh Australis’ inaugural visit to the port. Captain Bakari said the ship operates on 98 per cent LNG, with the remaining two per cent made up of conventional bunker fuel used during engine start-up and specific operational requirements. He described the vessel’s arrival as a major milestone for cleaner maritime operations at the port.
“This is a significant step toward cleaner shipping,” Bakari said, noting that LNG propulsion significantly reduces emissions compared with traditional marine fuels. The 16-deck vessel has a cargo capacity of approximately 9,000 units and is part of a new generation of pure car and truck carriers designed to transport large volumes efficiently while complying with increasingly stringent environmental standards.
Captain Buhia said access to the Port of Mombasa was smooth and described the vessel’s experience as positive. He added that Höegh Australis sailed from Singapore and completed the voyage in 11 days.
The deployment of LNG-powered vessels is increasing globally as the maritime industry responds to stricter environmental regulations set by the International Maritime Organization. Compared with heavy fuel oil, LNG significantly reduces sulfur oxide and particulate emissions, lowers nitrogen oxides, and cuts carbon dioxide output.
Many LNG-powered ships are also built to be ammonia-ready, allowing future conversion to zero-carbon fuels as technology and supply chains evolve, although ammonia-powered shipping still faces infrastructure and safety challenges.
The arrival of Höegh Australis underscores the Port of Mombasa’s growing capacity to handle next-generation, lower-emission vessels, as global shipping accelerates its transition toward sustainability.
