Kenya's first built barge unveiled in Mombasa

Southern Engineering Company (SECO) engineers watch as the first Kenyan built barge is towed into the ocean from dry dock at Mbaraki Wharlf in Mombasa on July 21, 2016. The barge will be used to transport heavy machinery along the East African Coastline. [PHOTO: GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

A ship maker has unveiled Kenya’s first locally built barge, a flat bottomed sea vessel. The vessel will be deployed for transportation of heavy machinery and marine cargo along the East African coast.

Southern Engineering Company (Seco) said the barge has the capacity of 2,500 dead weight tonnage equivalent to 150 truckloads. An official from the firm said the vessel will be deployed for use in construction of Lamu Port and other offshore projects along the West of Indian Ocean and inland water bodies like Lake Turkana.