MV Green Future’s Mombasa port call marks a step towards cleaner shipping.
MV Green Future uses low-carbon methanol that can cut emissions by about 65 per cent compared with conventional heavy fuel oil.
A Japanese methanol-fuelled ship, MV Green Future, docked at the Port of Mombasa on Tuesday, November 10. The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) described the vessel as the first-ever bulk carrier to use methanol fuel.
The ship runs on low-carbon methanol, which can reduce gas emissions by approximately 65 per cent compared with conventional heavy fuel oil. Its arrival marks a step towards cleaner energy in maritime transport.
In a statement, KPA said the visit reflects growing commitment among shipping companies and port operators to cleaner vessels. These operators aim to reduce the maritime industry’s carbon footprint.
Methanol-fuelled ship arrives amid port upgrades
The visit comes six months after KPA announced operational and infrastructure changes under its Green Ports Policy. The authority aims to strengthen Mombasa’s position as a climate-smart hub as more ships call at the port.
A central part of that programme is shore power technology. The system allows cargo vessels to switch off their diesel engines while docked and draw electricity from land instead. This also reduces reliance on noisy, high-emission engines during port calls.
Meanwhile, KPA is expanding solar installations across its facilities to supplement traditional electricity supplies. It is also gradually replacing older, fuel-intensive equipment with hybrid cargo-handling cranes.
KPA Managing Director William Ruto said environmentally friendly vessels now represent an industry shift rather than a luxury. As global regulatory standards tighten, he said, shipping increasingly prioritises sustainability and environmental conservation.
