Tanzania launched East Africa’s largest domestic freshwater passenger and cargo vessel, the MV Mwanza Hapa Kazi Tu, into Lake Victoria.
The ship, which was launched Feb. 12 in the southern port of Mwanza, can carry 1,200 people, 400 tons of cargo, 20 light vehicles and three trucks. It is now 82% complete.
Construction of the ship began in January 2019 and is being led by two South Korean companies, Gas Entec and KangNam Corporation.
Taxpayers will pay more than 100 billion Tanzanian shillings ($43 million) for the ships, which will be 92.6 meters long, 17 meters wide, and 20 meters high.
Given Tanzania’s reliance on its blue economy, particularly on the island of Zanzibar, this vessel will help stimulate economic opportunities through the country’s water resources.
Last year, Zanzibar hosted 1,000 tourists on a cruise ship that docked at the port of Dar es Salaam as part of Grand Africa Voyage’s 71-day round trip from Egypt.
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The Dutch ship was 237.7 meters (780 feet) long and was owned by Holland American Lines, but with the MV Mwanza Hapa Kazi Tu, these voyages were able to channel revenue to the Tanzanian government.
Tanzanian Deputy Minister of Works and Transport, Atupele Mwakibete, noted that the MV Mwanza Hapa Kazi Tu will help “open new markets inside and outside the country by launching new flights that will help attract commercial, to facilitate commercial, tourist and private flights”.
According to Eric Hamisi, CEO of Tanzania Marine Services Limited, the ship is practically complete with some minor modifications remaining. “By that time we can say that the ship is complete and the remaining 18% are just minor installations that will be completed in less than four months,” he said.
The ship is scheduled to sail Lake Victoria, Jinja and Portbil in Uganda, Kisumu in Kenya and Mwanza, Bukoba, Kimundo and Musoma in Tanzania.
The yacht will have a VVIP area for national executives, as well as standard VIP amenities such as a first class area seating 60 guests, a business class area seating 100 guests and a second class area seating 100 guests 200 guests offer.
