History Of World's Largest Ship Library Which Docked At Mombasa [PHOTOS]

MV Logos Hope, a ship known also as the world's largest floating bookfair, docked at the port of Mombasa on Tuesday, August 22.

Dubbed ‘the floating library', the vessel docked at the Mbaraki Wharf at 0930hrs with a selection of over 5,000 different titles of books aboard.

The 132-metre-long floating library, operated by GBA Ships, a non-profit organisation based in Germany, docked at the coastal city with approximately 350 people on board, 18 years after its sister ship Duolos visited Kenya in 2005.

"The ship remains in each port for several weeks and opens the gangways to thousands of visitors each day. On average, one million visitors have been welcomed onboard one of our ships every year!

Visitors with the Kenyan flag when MV Logos Hope docked at the port of Mombasa on August 22, 2023. /KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY

"The floating bookfair offers over 5,000 titles, providing many visitors with their first-ever opportunity to purchase quality literature," GBA Ships explains on its official website.

Sailing under the Malta flag, MV Logos Hope has a length of 132.5 meters, a width of 20.8, a draft of 5.2 meters and a carrying capacity of 12,519 Gross tonnes. Onboard the vessel are 350 passengers of 65 different nationalities.

With around 60 different nationalities represented on board, the Logos Hope community is regarded as a genuine expression of international goodwill and understanding.

The crew and staff are all non-salaried volunteers, including many serving in their professional capacity, such as seafarers, engineers, electricians, nurses, teachers and cooks. Sponsorship from friends, family members and civic organisations enables crew members to serve on board.

"Teams go from the ship into surrounding areas to visit hospitals, schools, orphanages or prisons, supply aid and provide community care. In each port, the ship's crew and staff partner with community groups to share hope and show love to people whatever their circumstances, culture or background," added GBA Ships.

MV Logos Hope History

MV Logos Hope started life in Rendsburg, in the north of Germany, in 1973 as the car ferry Gustav Vasa with the company Lion Ferry AB.

Maintaining the same route between Malmö (Sweden) and Travemünde (Germany) for 10 years, she was chartered out to many companies. Her route was later extended to include Rønne (Denmark) and Trelleborg (Sweden).

In April 1983, she was sold to the Faroese ferry company Smyril Line and renamed Norröna. Sailing from Torshavn, the Faroese capital, to Lerwick (Shetland Islands), Bergen (Norway), Hantsholm (Denmark) and Seyðisfjörður (Iceland) each summer, she was often chartered in the winter to cover other operators' overhaul schedules.

When Smyril Line delivered a new Norröna in 2003, the old vessel became Norröna I and was put up for sale. Following inspections, GBA Ships purchased her in March 2004.

MV Logos Hope docks at the port of Mombasa on August 22, 2023. /KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY

After a further period of planning and fundraising, extensive renovations began in earnest in the Brodotrogir Shipyard in Trogir, Croatia in June 2005. A new deck was inserted into the double-height vehicle deck to create space for what is now the Visitor Experience.

An additional deck was added towards the aft to accommodate the school for children of families serving on board. A new galley was installed, and the bridge was completely refurbished.

Machinery in the engine room was overhauled. Accommodation sections and community spaces were rebuilt, and air-conditioning, sprinkler and electrical systems were renewed.

In November 2007, the ship left Croatia bound for Kiel, Germany, for a further period of outfitting. On arrival crew and equipment were transferred from Logos II, the ship she would replace, and outfitting work took on new momentum with increased numbers on board and many volunteer project workers from northern Germany and around the world coming to help.

The ship departed from Kiel in May 2008 heading for dry dock in Landskrona, Sweden, where a larger, more efficient generator was brought into the engine room through the side of the ship. Thereafter, Logos Hope was berthed in Køge, Denmark, for final outfitting.

As well as the completion of the accommodation areas and community spaces, work continued on the areas intended for the public, including the Logos Lounge conference room and the Visitor Experience deck. A massive combined effort saw all the surveys completed and certificates in place, and Logos Hope was launched into service in February 2009.

In Mombasa, MV Logos Hope will open her doors to members of the public to select books of their choice from a wide array of genres, including science, sports, hobbies, language, faith, cookery arts and purchase medicine.

For 45 days, members of the public will be treated to the fun of touring the expansive vessel to explore other amenities like the international café, visitors deck and welcome area, among others.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director, Captain William Ruto, hailed the anticipated arrival of the vessel, terming it significant not only for the port of Mombasa but the country at large.

He noted that the ship’s visit implied that Kenya is making progress towards reclaiming her position as a cruise hub in the Indian Ocean cruise circuit.

“As a port authority, we have made significant strides to improve cruise reception facilities, notably completion of a modern cruise terminal, a dredged channel, improved security and safety standards in compliance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code,” he stated.

Visitors aged 3 to 60 will be admitted to the ship for a small fee to sample its many offerings, which include books on topics ranging from science to sports, hobbies, cookery, arts, medicine, languages, and faith.

MV Logos Hope docks at the port of Mombasa on August 22, 2023. /KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY