DODOMA: TANZANIA is set to receive 264 freight wagons next month for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR,) just three months after the inaugural of the passenger train service between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
The Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) made the announcement yesterday, confirming that the vessels carrying the essential railway components departed from a Chinese port on November 12, 2024.
“The arrival of these wagons, expected in mid-December 2024, will be a major boost to Tanzania’s logistics sector. The shipment includes a mix of 200 container wagons and 64 wagons, designed to accommodate loose cargo,” TRC Head of Public Relations Fred Mwanjala said.
He said this delivery marks a significant milestone in the TRC’s ongoing efforts to modernise the country’s railway infrastructure. The 264 wagons are part of a larger order of 1,430 wagons contracted with the Chinese railway equipment manufacturer, CRRC International.
The introduction of these new wagons is anticipated to improve the efficiency and reliability of Tanzania’s railway network, facilitating the transportation of goods both domestically and internationally.
As the country continues to expand its trade and commerce, the increased capacity provided by these wagons will play a crucial role in supporting economic growth.
TRC and Chinese company- CRRC International inked a contract in 2022 for the purchase of 1,430 SGR freight wagons worth 127.2 million US dollars, equivalent to 294bn/-.
The 12-month contract included the designing and production of wagons for hauling various types of cargo.
The wagons under this agreement include 400 Covered Large Bogie (CLB) for carrying general cargo such as sugar, cement, salt, cotton, tobacco and coffee, and 600 Container Carrier Bogie (CCB) for carrying containers,” he said.
“Others are 190 Petroleum Tank Bogies (PTB) for all types of fuel, 70 High Large Bogies (HLB) for pipes, wood and metals, 50 Motor Goods Bogies (MGB) for cars, and 50 Cattle Wagon Bogies (CWB) for cattle.
TRC originally expected to receive these wagons in February 2023, aligning with the completion of the Morogoro-Makutupora SGR section. This would have significantly boosted the nation’s freight capacity.
The government, through TRC, is constructing a modern railway network spanning over 2,561 kilometres. This ambitious project aims to connect the bustling port city of Dar es Salaam with key inland hubs like Mwanza, Kigoma and Katavi.
ALSO READ: How SGR revolutionize Tanzania’s transport network
Additionally, the network will extend to neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Dar es Salaam Dodoma section of the SGR commenced commercial passenger operations in June this year.
According to Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Prof Kitila Mkumbo, the passenger train has ferried a remarkable 645,421 passengers and generated a substantial 15.695bn/- by September.
Since construction began in May 2017, the SGR project has created over 30,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 indirect employment opportunities. The operational Dar es Salaam-Dodoma section has drastically reduced travel time from approximately ten hours by bus to a mere three and a half hours by train.
