MOMBASA, Kenya — The luxury cruise liner Crystal Symphony departed the Port of Mombasa on Friday evening following a carefully coordinated un-berthing operation at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Cruise Terminal, underscoring the port’s growing role as both a commercial and tourism gateway.
The departure took place at Multi-Purpose Berth One at Kilindini Harbour, one of the port’s earliest modern berths designed to accommodate large ocean-going vessels.
The operation was conducted by KPA marine teams with support from tugboats Mwokozi and Kiboko II, ensuring safe navigation through the narrow and often unpredictable Kilindini Channel.
According to KPA, the vessel began un-berthing procedures at 6:00 p.m., with bow thrusters and tug assistance guiding the 51,000-tonne cruise ship through a controlled turn before heading toward the open sea.
The manoeuvre was executed under calm evening conditions, as maritime crews managed line release, propulsion alignment, and channel clearance.
The Crystal Symphony, a 12-deck luxury cruise liner, had docked earlier in the day with tourists on board, contributing to Mombasa’s cruise tourism economy.
As the ship departed, passengers were seen lining the decks, waving as the vessel exited the channel toward the Indian Ocean.
KPA officials said the operation highlighted the port’s dual mandate of supporting tourism and sustaining regional trade flows.
“In a year where the Port of Mombasa has handled 45.45 million tonnes of cargo and surpassed 2.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), efficient cruise operations demonstrate the port’s versatility and strategic importance,” the Authority said.
The Port of Mombasa remains East Africa’s primary maritime gateway, serving Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and parts of northern Tanzania.
Beyond cargo handling, the port has in recent years invested in cruise terminal infrastructure to position Mombasa as a key stop on Indian Ocean cruise circuits.
Maritime operations staff involved in the departure described the exercise as routine but critical, noting that successful unberthing depends on coordination, weather assessment, and precise execution.
As Crystal Symphony sailed toward the horizon, the berth returned to service, ready to receive the next vessel—an understated transition that reflects the daily rhythm of a port that rarely pauses.
For KPA, the moment symbolised more than a single ship’s departure.
It reflected the operational backbone of Kenya’s blue economy, where cargo throughput, tourism, and maritime safety intersect to keep the country connected to global trade routes.
