Oil tanker launched to operate on Lake Victoria

Local build overseen by Indian Register of Shipping

UGANDA: The double hulled oil tanker, MT Elgon, was successfully delivered to take up operations on Lake Victoria this month to service Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Built by Mahathi Shipyard Uganda Ltd, under the stringent classification standards of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), the MT Elgon is a modern tanker featuring double hull steel construction, and utilises a conventional twin-screw propulsion system, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 10 knots.

Designed by a Dubai-based company, the vessel features dedicated machinery and pump room spaces to ensure optimal performance during operations and will have a complement of 18 crew members.

The vessel was built by an Indian workforce and officers in Bugiri Bukkasa, Uganda, marking a significant achievement in international collaboration in ship construction.

With project management undertaken by IRS’ Visakhapatnam office, the launch of the MT Elgon represents the second successive delivery of a vessel exceeding 100 metres in an African country, overcoming logistical and infrastructure challenges through a planned and systematic approach.

During the delivery ceremony President Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa of Uganda acknowledged the organisation’s critical role in the successful construction and delivery of the vessel.

Saikat Roychowdhury – Operations in Charge, IRS said, “The delivery of MT Elgon underlines our commitment to excellence in ship classification and maritime safety. This project, achieved through the combined efforts of international expertise and local craftsmanship, stands as a testament to the high standards that IRS upholds.”