Kenya Ports Authority have recently received seven heavy duty forklifts trucks at a cost of USD 2,050,446 (Ksh 176,338,356 Million), according to the latest issue of the KPA magazine BANDARI.

The purchase was in line with the Port equipment replacement plan in place since 2003 to satisfy the growing business needs.

The current compliment of new trucks was commissioned for service in January, 2013. It has enabled marked reduction in complaints about delayed cargo handling due to defective forklift trucks from shipping and clearing agents.

The forklift trucks were supplied by a Swedish manufacturer Konecranes Lift Trucks All.

They comprise two 10-ton model SL 1O-1200B, Two 16 ton model SL 16-1200B, one 2Oton model SL 20-1200B and two 25 ton model SL 25-1200B.

This latest acquisition brings the total number of serviceable forklift trucks available for operational activities to twenty.

The total Port fleet consists of light duty trucks with lifting capacities of 3 to 5 tons and heavy duty trucks with lifting capacities of 10,16 and 25 tons.

The Authority has in its fleet three brands of equipment namely; Hyster for the light duty range while Kalmar and Kone-cranes make up the heavy duty trucks.

To ensure reasonable and cost effective equipment service life, KPA has hours-based preventive maintenance programme.

This, coupled with timely corrective maintenance is the key to remarkable reliability of the available equipment.

A major strength that ensures effective maintenance of port equipment is in its well trained and qualified human resources of relevant fields.

The Kenya Ports Authority continues to invest in specialized training of its in-service staff in tandem with technological developments.