CMA CGM Adventure, a 7,378-teu LNG-powered container vessel, has made its maiden call at the Port of Mombasa, marking what the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) describes as the first visit by a large gas-powered container ship to the Kenyan port.

The vessel, built in late 2024, measures 268 metres in length and 43 metres in beam. It runs primarily on LNG rather than heavy fuel oil — a design approach the French shipping group says reflects its “strong commitment to sustainable maritime transport and operational excellence”.

At a traditional KPA reception for first-time vessel calls, KPA Chief Executive Officer Captain William Ruto framed the arrival within the broader context of the shipping industry’s shift towards lower-emission operations.

“These vessels are now the norm as the industry goes green and champions sustainability and conservation of the environment,” Capt. Ruto said, adding that more environmentally friendly vessels are expected to call at Mombasa and other regional ports in the future.

The arrival comes as shipping lines face tightening regulatory pressure on emissions and growing demand from cargo owners for cleaner supply chains. Ports, too, are under increasing pressure to reduce their own environmental footprints.

KPA says it has been pursuing its own green transition through a Green Ports Policy. According to the authority, this includes the expansion of solar installations across port facilities, the gradual introduction of hybrid cargo-handling equipment, and the deployment of shore power technology — which allows vessels to shut down their engines while at berth and connect directly to land-based electricity supplies. Mangrove restoration projects along the coastline are also under way, with KPA positioning these ecosystems as natural carbon sinks linked to its maritime sustainability agenda.