KPA Strengthens Maritime Emergency Readiness with Full-Scale Mombasa Port Drill
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has concluded a week-long maritime safety programme with a full-scale emergency drill at the Port of Mombasa, testing its preparedness to respond to maritime incidents.
The exercise assessed firefighting, evacuation, communication and coordination between KPA personnel, emergency responders and government agencies.
Led by Capt. Moses Muthama, KPA’s Manager for Marine Operations, Maintenance and Hydrography, the drill was conducted within the framework of the International Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) codes, which establish international standards for ship safety and the security of vessels and port facilities.
The programme aimed to strengthen emergency response procedures, improve operational coordination and reinforce a strong safety culture among port personnel.
For Mombasa, emergency preparedness is closely linked to trade continuity. As a major gateway for Kenya and the wider East and Central African region, a serious incident at the port could disrupt vessel movements, cargo handling and supply chains serving neighbouring markets.
Regular emergency drills allow KPA and its partners to test response systems, identify potential gaps and improve coordination before a real incident occurs.
The latest exercise therefore serves not only as a test of KPA’s emergency readiness, but also as part of broader efforts to ensure the Port of Mombasa remains safe, secure and resilient while supporting regional trade.
