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Cargo ship offloads first LPG shipment in Kilifi
Security Personnel during the commissioning of cargo discharge from MT Barumk Gas Vessel at the Lake Gas Limited, a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) Terminal in Vipingo, Kilifi County on June 4, 2025.
Kenya’s efforts to increase the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking have received a major boost after Tanzania’s Lake Gas Limited successfully offloaded its first consignment of gas in three days at its Kilifi plant.
Last December, the Cabinet approved the procurement of LPG through the Open Tender System (OTS) in a move aimed at opening up the market to more investors in the gas importation, storage, and handling sectors.
The first 10,000 metric tonnes of LPG for Lake Gas were successfully discharged from the vessel MT Barumk Gas, despite strong ocean currents.
“This process tested and validated the entire LPG supply chain, including vessel mooring, subsea pipeline transfer, and onshore storage systems, starting Monday and ending on Wednesday. We expect the gas to enter the market this week and to be transported by trucks across the country,” said the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, Ally Edha Awadh.
Last month, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) conducted a simulation exercise and approved the facility, which will now facilitate full-scale operations. The simulation had concluded discharging gas offshore wasl almost impossible during the May-September period due to strong winds
The firm’s General Manager Maurice Mutiso said the test proved their adherence to international best practices in safety, environmental compliance and operational standards resulting in zero incidents or delays.
“Today’s discharge marks a critical milestone in Kenya’s energy infrastructure development, enhancing LPG handling capacity, strengthening energy security and accelerating the shift to cleaner energy across the region,” said Mr Mutiso.
The development of bulk LPG import, storage and handling infrastructure is among the government’s key strategies to increase annual LPG uptake.