Mv Mwanza ‘Hapa Kazi Tu’ goes for first technical lake trial

MWANZA: THE new Mv Mwanza Hapa Kazi Tu ship yesterday underwent its first technical lake trial on the Lake Victoria.

The vessel is expected to reach 96 per cent completion after the assessment process, the Marine Services Company Limited’s (MSCL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Eric Hamissi told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday.

Mr Hamissi said the multibillion-shilling ship will carry out three days’ technical lake trial, saying however that the trial will not involve passengers due to safety reasons.

He said the lake trial was led by the contractor which is a South Korea’s Gas Entec Company in collaboration with MSCL’s workers, including captain and technical engineer.

He said the project started in 2019, commending the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for timely disbursement of required funds for execution of the project.

“After the trial, we will continue carrying out final touches which involve fixing furniture. The project contract is expected to expire on May 31 this year after which the vessel will be handed over to the government, ready for use,” Mr Hamissi said.

He said after all other protocols including acquiring license from the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC), the ship will kick off operation in July this year.

He said the giant ship is due to ignite demand in all walks of life, spurring socio-economic and political integrations in Lake Zone and East Africa at large.

The construction of MV Mwanza Hapa Kazi Tu is being undertaken by the South Korea-based companies, namely Gas Entec in collaboration with the Kangnam Corporation at the cost of 110bn/-, all funded by the government.

Mr Hamissi said so far, the contractors have been paid 106bn/-. The Mv Mwanza ‘Hapa Kazi Tu’, which is the largest ship to ply on Lake Victoria in East Africa’s history, is 92.6 metres long, 20 metres high and 17 metres wide.

After full completion the ship will weigh 3500 tonnes. The ship is expected to bring significant boost to the Lake Zone’s economy as it will help Tanzanians and other people from neighbouring countries to transport agricultural crops and fishery products from one area to another, including enhancing tourism and leisure activities.

He said the ship is capable of carrying 400 tonnes of cargo and 1200 passengers.

Economist Dr Isaac Safari based at the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Dr Isaac Safari said that it is now time for citizens to fully exploit opportunities brought about by the giant vessel.

Also, he urged citizens in the Lake Zone especially in Mwanza, Geita and Kagera to put in place accommodation facilities such as hotels which will cater for travellers, tourists and business persons.

He said the ship, apart from having multiplying effects in all sectors, will create immense employment opportunities to citizens as captain, sailors, bed attendants and chief engineers after starting its daily operations.

“It’s time for the country’s graduates to exploit the opportunities,” he said.

He said the ship will result not only to expansion of the Mwanza City but also expansion of all towns where it will serve.” The Project Manager, Eng. Vitus Mapunda hinted that the life span of the ship is 50 years as it will operate on fresh wate