A ferry crossing the Likoni channel. [Photo/ nairaland.com]
A new modern ferry to be deployed at the Likoni Channel has kicked off its journey from Turkey.
MV Jambo set to arrive and ease services at the busy channel is at the Ozata shipyard in the European country. It will arrive in July and will be launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta.Kenya Ferry Services on its Facebook page posted: “New ferry MV Jambo ready for launching from Ozata shipyard, Turkey.”The double-ended vessel has overall length of 84.6 metres. The second ferry is expected to be delivered in November 3, 2017 according to Kenya Ferry Services.MV Jambo was purchased at Sh1.9 billion. Its arrival will bring the total number ferries operating at the Likoni channel to seven.The vessels are projected to help decongest the channel that transports approximately 330,000 people and 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis.“Our team is in Turkey to inspect the progress and the construction which is complete for the first ferry. The shipment of MV Jambo will start early June and by July 27 we expect it to be at our premises. MV Safari will be delivered on November 3,” said KFS chief Bakari Gowa in an earlier interview.The ferry’s design shows that the vessel has the capacity of 1,392 passengers and a designated area for people living with disabilities and pregnant women.Presently, travelers stand in most of the ferries including MV Nyayo, MV Harambee and MV Kilindini.The new vessel’s plans show that the new ferry has the capacity to carry 64 vehicles. It also has emergency boats on board besides having washrooms.“In the new ferries, passengers will be on the upper deck and vehicles in the lower one. We expect the August and December holidays to be the best as we will have free flow of services,” Gowa said.