MV Uhuru II: Ksh2.4 Billion Kenyan Ship Built From Scratch [PHOTOS]

President William Ruto has officially commissioned the MV Uhuru II at the Kenya Shipyards Limited in Kisumu County.

After the grand launch on Monday, October 9, the ship will set sail on its first voyage on Lake Victoria in a move highly anticipated by fuel transporters to neighbouring East African countries.

MV Uhuru II is a cargo ship, equipped with a range of advanced systems that are essential for its safe and efficient operation. It is also the first ship in Kenya built entirely from scratch at a cost of Ksh2.4 billion.

The vessel was built and assembled in Kenya, saving Kenyan taxpayers Ksh1.3 billion in imports.

The 1,800-ton MV Uhuru II was built at the Kenya Ship Yard by Kenyan agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces, in collaboration with a Dutch firm, Damen Shipyards.

A photo of MV Uhuru II prior to its commissioning by President William Ruto on October 9, 2023. /KENYA SHIPYARDS LIMITED

Viral Tea takes a look at the features of the MV Uhuru 2:

Features

MV Uhuru II is a powerful and reliable vessel, equipped with a range of sophisticated systems that are essential for its safe and efficient operation.

One of the most important systems on the MV Uhuru II is its hull structure which is designed to be strong and durable, capable of withstanding the stresses and strains of heavy cargo and rough waters. The hull is constructed from high-quality steel and carefully welded together to form a watertight enclosure that will protect the cargo and crew from the natural elements.

In addition to its hull structure, the MV Uhuru II is also equipped with an advanced piping system which is used to transport oil from the ship’s cargo tanks to its engines, where it is used to power the ship’s propulsion system.

The piping system is carefully designed to ensure that the oil is delivered to the engines at the correct pressure and temperature, which helps to maximize the engines’ efficiency and performance.

Engines

"The ship’s engines are the heart of its propulsion system, providing the power and reliability needed to move the ship through the water. They are equipped with Caterpillar 3500 series four-stroke, V-type, turbocharged marine diesel engines that are well suited for the demands of commercial shipping.

"These engines are designed to be rugged and reliable, with a proven track record in the marine industry. They can deliver high power output and are known for their fuel efficiency, which helps the ship to conserve fuel and reduce its carbon footprint," states Kenya Shipyards on its official website.

The engines are connected to the ship’s propulsion system through a complex network of pipes and valves that carefully regulate the flow of oil from the tanks to the engines. The piping system is carefully designed to ensure that the oil is delivered to the engines at the correct pressure and temperature, which helps to maximize the engines’ efficiency and performance.

The engines are also equipped with advanced control systems that enable the crew to monitor their performance in real-time. This helps the crew to adjust the engines’ settings, if necessary, to optimize their performance and ensure that they are operating at their peak efficiency.

In addition to the engines themselves, the ship is also equipped with a variety of ancillary systems that are essential for operation. These systems include fuel pumps, filters, and separators that ensure that the engines receive clean and properly filtered fuel.

The engines are also equipped with advanced cooling systems that help to regulate temperature and prevent them from overheating. The cooling system is designed to draw water from the lake and circulate it through the engines, where it absorbs heat and is discharged back into the lake.

Inside the engine room of MV Uhuru II prior to its commissioning by President William Ruto on October 9, 2023. /KENYA SHIPYARDS LIMITED

Power Systems

Another important system of MV Uhuru II is its electrical equipment. The ship is equipped with a variety of generators and electrical cables that produce the electricity needed to power the ship’s navigation system, communication systems, lighting, and other essential equipment.

The electrical system is designed to be reliable and robust, capable of operating even under the most demanding conditions.

Fire Fighting

Finally, the MV Uhuru II is equipped with a firefighting system, which is essential in case of a fire emergency on board.

The firefighting system is designed to quickly detect and extinguish fires to protect the crew, cargo, and the ship itself, and consists of several components, including fire alarms, fire suppression equipment, and fire extinguishers.

The fire alarms are strategically placed throughout the ship, and they are designed to quickly detect any signs of a fire. Once a fire is detected, the alarms automatically trigger the suppression equipment, which floods the affected area with water or foam to extinguish the fire.

The fire extinguishers are also strategically placed throughout the ship, and the crew is trained to use them in case of a fire emergency.

Fire extinguishers come in diverse types, depending on the type of fire they are designed to extinguish. For example, a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher is used for electrical fires, while a water-based extinguisher is used for ordinary combustible fires.

The firefighting system also includes a dedicated fire pump, which is capable of supplying water to the fire suppression equipment at high pressure. This ensures that the fire is extinguished quickly and that the crew and ship remain safe.

"In addition to the firefighting system, the MV Uhuru II is also equipped with a fire prevention system. This includes regular maintenance and inspections of the ship’s electrical equipment, piping systems, and engines, to ensure that they are in good working condition and free from any potential fire hazards. The crew also receives regular fire safety training to ensure that they are prepared in case of a fire emergency," added Kenya Shipyards.

Miscellaneous

The ship is expected to supplement the MV Uhuru I, which had a capacity of 1,260 tonnes and was delivered to Kenya in 1966 by a Scottish company. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Kisumu Port on August 2, 2022, to supervise the ship’s floatation and to commission the shipyard.

The 100-meter vessel, which has a capacity of two million litres of crude oil per trip, can comfortably transport 22 wagons across the lake.

According to Kenya Shipyard Managing Director Brigadier Paul Otieno Owuor, the ship can sail to neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania in 10 hours. The load capacity is slightly higher than that of the MV Uhuru I, which has a capacity of 1.1 million litres and a speed of 17 hours to Port Bell Uganda.

Apart from expanding export opportunities, the facility is expected to provide job opportunities for locals.

President William Ruto test-drives the MV Uhuru II on October 9, 2023. /PCS