Likoni Ferry
Encyclopedia
The Likoni Ferry is a boat service across the Kilindini Harbour
, serving both the island city of Mombasa
and the Kenyan mainland town of Likoni
. Two double-ended ferries alternate across the harbour, carrying both road and foot traffic. The ferries are operated by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), and is the only remaining ferry service by KFS. The Likoni ferry started operting in 1937. Passenger services are free while vehicles have to pay a ferry toll.
The Mombasa side terminal of the Likoni line is located at the southern end of the Mombasa Island
. The distance of the line is about 500 metres.
Apart from the main Likoni line, there is a passenger-only peak hour service between Mtongwe and Mombasa island next to Bandari College. It crosses the Kilindini Creek few kilometres west of the Kilindini line.
There are five operating ferries.MV Mvita and MV Pwani were bought in 1969 and 1974, respectively. MV Nyayo, MV Harambee and MV Kilindini were bought second hand in 1990. KFS is in process to buy two new ferries, but the order was repeatedly delayed.
The two arrived in June 2010. They have been christened as MV Kwale and MV Likoni
Three of the operating ferries, MV Harambee, MV Nyayo and MV Kilindini have been deregistered from Lloyd's Register
(an international maritime classification society), being not seaworthy
As at May 2011, at least MV Nyayo was in use as the relief ferry, now painted blue.
The Dongo Kundu bypass
has been planned to ease the congested ferry. The road would run from Shika Adabu (between Likoni and Diani) to Miritini
(west of Mombasa Island, along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway
). The road would be 12–24 km long depending whether bridges will be built to cross the Likoni creek. Currently the shortest route by road from Likoni to Mombasa Island is through the Kwale
town, 30 kilometres southwest of Mombasa.
A direct bridge or tunnel from Likoni to Mombasa Island have also been proposed, but the high cost of building them has made these options unlikely
36,902,472 ($486,840 USD).
Motorbike pays 60/=; Saloon car 75/=; Matatu 165/=; Mini bus 365/= and Bus 650/=.
Kilindini Harbour
Kilindini Harbour is a large, natural deep-water inlet extending inland from Mombasa, Kenya. It is 25-30 fathoms at its deepest center. It serves as the harbour for Mombasa, with a hinterland extending to Uganda and Sudan. Kilindini Harbour is the main part of the Port of Mombasa, the only...
, serving both the island city of Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
and the Kenyan mainland town of Likoni
Likoni
Likoni is a division of Mombasa District, Kenya, and is located to the south-west of the island.- Transport :Likoni is the site of the southern terminus of the Likoni Ferry, a double ended ferry serving road traffic and pedestrians from both Likoni and Mombasa island. Likoni also has a high...
. Two double-ended ferries alternate across the harbour, carrying both road and foot traffic. The ferries are operated by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS), and is the only remaining ferry service by KFS. The Likoni ferry started operting in 1937. Passenger services are free while vehicles have to pay a ferry toll.
The Mombasa side terminal of the Likoni line is located at the southern end of the Mombasa Island
Mombasa Island
Mombasa Island is a 5 km by 3 km coral outcrop located on Kenya's coast on the Indian Ocean, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. The city of Mombasa is located on the island....
. The distance of the line is about 500 metres.
Apart from the main Likoni line, there is a passenger-only peak hour service between Mtongwe and Mombasa island next to Bandari College. It crosses the Kilindini Creek few kilometres west of the Kilindini line.
There are five operating ferries.MV Mvita and MV Pwani were bought in 1969 and 1974, respectively. MV Nyayo, MV Harambee and MV Kilindini were bought second hand in 1990. KFS is in process to buy two new ferries, but the order was repeatedly delayed.
The two arrived in June 2010. They have been christened as MV Kwale and MV Likoni
Three of the operating ferries, MV Harambee, MV Nyayo and MV Kilindini have been deregistered from Lloyd's Register
Lloyd's Register
The Lloyd's Register Group is a maritime classification society and independent risk management organisation providing risk assessment and mitigation services and management systems certification. Historically, as Lloyd's Register of Shipping, it was a specifically maritime organisation...
(an international maritime classification society), being not seaworthy
As at May 2011, at least MV Nyayo was in use as the relief ferry, now painted blue.
The Dongo Kundu bypass
Dongo Kundu bypass
Dongo Kundu Bypass is a proposed road that will connect Mombasa Mainland without entering Mombasa Island. The Kenya National Highway Authority has signaled the start of a process to construct the Mombasa city southern by-pass....
has been planned to ease the congested ferry. The road would run from Shika Adabu (between Likoni and Diani) to Miritini
Miritini
Miritini is a suburb of Mombasa, Kenya. Located in the Changamwe Constituency, it had a population of 31,485 in 1999....
(west of Mombasa Island, along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway
A109 road (Kenya)
The A109 road is the main road link between the Kenyan cities of Nairobi and Mombasa. It is also known as The Mombasa road. For the majority of the distance, the road runs adjacent to the Nairobi-Mombasa main line, itself a branch of the Uganda Railway....
). The road would be 12–24 km long depending whether bridges will be built to cross the Likoni creek. Currently the shortest route by road from Likoni to Mombasa Island is through the Kwale
Kwale
Kwale is a small town in Coast Province, Kenya. It is located at around ; 30 km southwest of Mombasa and 15 km inland. It is capital of the Kwale District. The town has an urban population of 4,200 . It is next to the Shimba Hills National Reserve...
town, 30 kilometres southwest of Mombasa.
A direct bridge or tunnel from Likoni to Mombasa Island have also been proposed, but the high cost of building them has made these options unlikely
Mtongwe Disaster
On April 27, 1994, the MV Mtongwe ferry bound for the mainland capsized just 40 meters from port, killing 272 of the 400 people on board. Following the disaster, it was reported that the capacity for the ship was 300. As of 2005, the Kenya Ferry Services had compensated 81 families a total of KShKsh
KSH or ksh may refer to:*Kenyan shilling, the currency of Kenya*Korn shell, a Unix shell developed by David Korn in the early 1980s*Kölsch language , a Ripuarian dialect spoken in Germany, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office*Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani Airport , in Kermanshah, Iran...
36,902,472 ($486,840 USD).
Charges
The KFS does not charge people. However Motor vehicle are chargedMotorbike pays 60/=; Saloon car 75/=; Matatu 165/=; Mini bus 365/= and Bus 650/=.