MWANZA, Tanzania: Tanzania has launched Africa’s largest inland freshwater vessel, signalling a renewed push to strengthen regional trade, transport connectivity and economic cooperation across East Africa.
The new ship, MV New Mwanza, was officially unveiled on Lake Victoria by Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, who said modern maritime transport would play an increasingly important role in supporting cross-border commerce and diplomacy among countries sharing the lake.
Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, borders Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya and supports millions of people through fishing, passenger transport and trade. Governments across the region have long identified maritime safety and capacity as critical constraints to deeper economic integration.
Speaking at the launch ceremony in Mwanza, Dr Nchemba said the vessel should be used strategically to enhance trade flows and strengthen relations with neighbouring states.
“Lake Victoria connects our economies,” he said. “These vessels should support trade, promote economic diplomacy and strengthen cooperation with our neighbours.”
The prime minister urged the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASHICO) and the Ministry of Transport to ensure the ship is fully integrated into regional transport networks linking Tanzania with Uganda and Kenya.
With a capacity of 1,200 passengers and 400 tonnes of cargo, MV New Mwanza is expected to significantly expand transport capacity on the lake, supporting both passenger movement and commercial logistics. The vessel can also carry heavy trucks and light vehicles, allowing for more efficient cross-border supply chains.
Measuring 92.6 metres in length and 17 metres in width, the ship is nearly the size of a football pitch and stands as high as a four-storey building. It is powered by two high-capacity marine engines designed for continuous operation.
Dr Nchemba described the vessel as a symbol of Tanzania’s growing industrial and technical capability, noting that it was designed and built to international maritime standards.
“This ship demonstrates our ability to independently deliver large-scale, strategic infrastructure that meets global standards,” he said.
He also called for the technical skills gained during the construction of MV New Mwanza to be transferred to other shipbuilding projects, including similar initiatives under way on Lake Tanganyika, which links Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia.
On safety, the prime minister emphasised strict adherence to professional operating standards, saying modern transport systems require discipline and constant vigilance.
“Modern ships and transport infrastructure must be operated in line with technical guidance,” he said. “This is essential to protect passengers, cargo and crews.”
The ship is equipped with advanced safety and navigation systems, including the ability to operate in rough lake conditions and automatically transmit distress signals to rescue coordination centres in Tanzania and neighbouring countries. It also carries a voyage data recorder, often referred to as a maritime “black box”.
TASHICO Managing Director Eric Hamissi said MV New Mwanza was designed to serve both domestic and regional markets, offering multiple classes of passenger accommodation ranging from economy to VIP.
Construction began in 2019 at a total cost of 51.8 million US dollars. According to TASHICO, the project was only 40% complete when the current administration took office, before additional funding was released to allow its completion.
Transport Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa said the government provided nearly 80bn Tanzanian shillings to finalise the vessel, ensuring it met international standards of safety, quality and durability.
He said the ministry oversaw all stages of construction, from shipyard work to lake trials, to ensure compliance with global maritime benchmarks.
Officials say MV New Mwanza is expected to boost tourism around Lake Victoria, improve safety on one of Africa’s busiest inland waterways and reinforce the lake’s role as a key economic corridor in East Africa.
As regional trade within the East African Community continues to grow, Tanzania says investments such as MV New Mwanza will help position inland maritime transport as a reliable, safe and internationally competitive mode of connectivity.
