Gambia’s Kanilai Ferry Returns, Slashing Crossing Times to 25 Minutes
Kanilia Ferry © Gambia Ferry Services
By Edward Francis Dalliah
After more than a year out of operation, the Kanilai Ferry made a remarkable comeback on Friday, 2nd May 2025—setting a new record for travel time on The Gambia’s busiest waterway. During one of its inaugural return journeys between Banjul and Barra, the ferry completed the crossing in just 29 minutes and returned in an even faster 25 minutes. This marks a significant improvement compared to the previous travel time, which often exceeded an hour before the ferry underwent rehabilitation.
Our reporter witnessed this milestone firsthand, boarding the vessel on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, to observe and verify the improved travel time during an afternoon trip. The Banjul–Barra crossing spans approximately 7 kilometers and serves as a critical link for commuters, traders, tourists, and transporters between the country’s southern and northern regions.
The Kanilai Ferry, in operation since 2005, broke down on 12th April 2024 while en route to Barra with passengers, vehicles, and cargo on board. The mechanical failure led to a prolonged suspension of service, compounded by a series of unfulfilled government promises regarding its return. The situation worsened when the Kunta Kinteh Ferry was also taken out of service for maintenance, leaving the nation without ferry service for nine weeks and two days.
On 10th May 2024, the Kunta Kinteh Ferry returned to service following an extensive overhaul, including the installation of new engines. It now completes the crossing in approximately 20 minutes, setting a new standard for efficiency on the route. Its return marked a turning point in stabilising ferry operations, and the Kanilai’s reintroduction—with notably improved timings—further reinforces this progress.
A passenger interviewed by our reporter praised the ferry’s enhanced performance but stressed the importance of regular maintenance to sustain its efficiency. As of now, both the Kanilai and Kunta Kinteh ferries are operational.
According to the Gambia Ferry Service, the final daily departure from Banjul to Barra is now scheduled for 11:00 p.m., while the last ferry from Barra to Banjul departs at midnight. With this new timetable, the service now operates for 18 hours daily using both ferries, greatly improving travel flexibility and reliability for all users.
