A new green ferry powered by solar energy has arrived at Gambia’s main port to begin life as part of the transport fleet plying the waters between the capital Banjul and the seaside town of Barra.
Named Barra, the sea carrier for peoples and goods arrived last week from its manufacturers in The Netherlands.
It is the first of its kind in the country’s sea transportation fleet, powered by a combination of fuel generators and a battery-assisted solar panel technology to reduce emissions.
The remaining ferries before it in the fleet use standalone fuel-powered engines.
The Gambia Ferry Services described the arrival of the Barra Ferry as ”a significant milestone for our maritime transport system and the communities that depend on it”.
It can accommodate up to 1,000 passengers and north of 50 vehicles at any given time.
In recent months, the ferry transportation services’ aging fleet has been withdrawn for routine maintenance including the Kunta Kinteh ferry which was commissioned in 2017.
The ferry management said Barra’s arrival would boost efficiency, reliability and the safety of ferrying people, goods and services across the 5km wide estuary between the two disembankment points in Banjul and Barra.
No date has been announced for Barra’s inaugural service.
Thousands of people ply the route on a daily basis including those on more extensive journeys beyond The Gambia’s borders.
WN/as/APA