Exploited by the Italian Grimaldi group, the ship made its first stop at Mombasa on its inaugural voyage between Asia and East Africa. Its equipment is designed to reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions during port operations.
On 29 October 2026, the port of Mombasa welcomed the Grande Egitto, a new ro-ro ship specializing in the transport of vehicles. Operated by the Italian Grimaldi Group, the building unloaded 1,297 vehicles for Kenyan and regional markets.
It is 220 metres long and has a capacity of 9,800 car equivalents spread over 15 bridges. This port of call is part of a maritime link linking several Asian ports to Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In particular, the vessel had loaded cargo in Taicang, China, Yokohama and Nagoya, Japan.
The Grande Egitto integrates several equipment designed to reduce its environmental footprint. According to the information provided by the shipowner, its fuel consumption may be 50% lower than that of previous-generation car carriers.
The ship is equipped with about 2,500 m2 of solar panels, an under-hull air lubrication system and an intelligent energy management device. Its silicone-based coating and hydrodynamic design also contribute to reducing water resistance.
A 5 MWh lithium battery completes these installations. The vessel may also operate without emissions during dock operations, depending on the characteristics presented by its operators.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), the port authority of Kenya, hosted the building in the presence of its Director General, William Kipkemboi Ruto. He praised Mombasa's choice as the port of call for this new link and stressed the port's ability to receive large ships with new technologies.
The master of the ship, Luigi Mazzitelli, thanked the port teams for their efficiency in unloading operations. The Nisomar Group, a local agent from Grimaldi in Kenya and Tanzania, is involved in coordinating port operations, customs formalities and inland transport.
This stop follows that of the Grande Shanghai, twin ship of the Grande Egitto, welcomed at Mombasa on September 17, 2026. He had then unloaded approximately 813 vehicles and 111 packages of miscellaneous goods for projects. The two ports of call illustrate the development of vehicle transport services between Asia and East Africa.
Beyond the Kenyan market, the port of Mombasa serves several countries in the regional hinterland, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The inland transport of vehicles is thus an essential extension of these maritime links.
