TASHICO leads $208.68m Lake Tanganyika project

RUKWA: TANZANIA Shipping Company (TASHICO) is leading three strategic projects on Lake Tanganyika aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and boosting cross-border trade.

With an investment of 208.68 million US dollars, these initiatives seek to enhance regional connectivity and streamline trade flows within the East African region.

One of the key projects includes the establishment of a shipbuilding facility at Kigoma Port, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This facility will enhance marine services on Lake Tanganyika and contribute to the local economy.

During a recent working tour in Rukwa, Deputy Minister for Transport, Mr David Kihenzile, emphasised that the government’s investment in Lake Tanganyika would promote cross-border trade between Tanzania and neighbouring countries, including DR Congo, Zambia and Burundi.

“The government is investing in the repair of ships to increase their longevity and reduce the high costs associated with building new vessels,” he pointed out.

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Additionally, he revealed that after the shipbuilding yard is completed, a project to construct a 3,500-tonne cargo ship, along with a roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry, will follow.

“The 3,500-tonne cargo ship will be the largest vessel ever to operate on any of the country’s lakes, including Lake Tanganyika, Victoria and Nyasa,” Mr Kihenzile noted. “The shipyard will have the capacity to accommodate two ships, each weighing 5,000 tonnes.”

Reports indicate that the project is expected to begin early next month.

TASHICO will also repair three marine vessels and tourist boats to improve their appearance and operations on Lake Tanganyika.

TASHICO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eng Eric Hammis, told Daily News that the company signed a construction agreement in October with the Turkish firm Dearsan Gemi Insaat Sanays to build the cargo ship and the shipyard in Kigoma over the next two years.

“The shipyard will be built in the Katabe area, about five kilometres from Kigoma Port,” said the CEO.

The new cargo vessel will be capable of carrying 25 long vehicles or 25 railway wagons and 65 saloon cars, with a maximum speed of 13 knots. This will reduce the travel time between Kigoma Port and Kalemie Port in Eastern DRC from over 24 hours to just six hours, depending on the size and capacity of the vessels.

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Local residents expressed optimism about the planned additions. Mr Leopard Mwita, the Kasanga Ward Councillor, said that the arrival of a new cargo ship and the repair of three vessels would revitalise Lake Tanganyika’s port operations.

“Reliable passenger and cargo vessels will significantly improve port operations and create important multiplier effects,” Mwita added.

He also noted that the introduction of a fuel vessel would help ease congestion at the Tunduma border, as many fuel exporters would prefer transporting goods to Zambia and DRC via Lake Tanganyika.