Shipbuilding strategy to reduce reliance on imported vessels

Encouraging investment

TANZANIA: Recognising the importance of investment in the shipbuilding sector in the Mwanza Region, the Tanzania Shipping Agency Corporation (TASAC) hosted a meeting last week to discuss strategies to promote the construction of ships and other marine vessels in the country.

More than half of the Mwanza Region is covered in water and it remains the main gateway for water transport in the Lake Victoria Region.

Speaking when he met the delegation, led by Advocate Leticia Mutaki, Director of Regulation, Protection, Safety and Environmental Protection of Water Transport, Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Saidi Mtanda, noted the importance of the water transport sector in the development of Mwanza Region.

He also confirmed that the region is ready to collaborate in encouraging investment in the shipbuilding sector, noting that this would enhance water transport safety.

Advocate Mutaki speaking on behalf of the Director General of TASAC said that the plan was to encourage private sector investment in the construction of ships and naval vessels in the country to reduce dependence on imported vessels.

Stakeholders at the meeting included prominent marine engineering firms including Songoro Marine and Ankola Shipyard.

In September, Songoro launched one of five new ferries in demonstration of the capacity already available within the country. In April they launched the Sea Taxi IX, capable of carrying 400 passengers and fitted with three 300HP engines.

Ankola Shipyard has been equally as busy. The yard has been involved in the assembly of four cargo ships. The project, which began in April 2025 is nearing completion.

Modules were constructed in China’s Shandong Province before being shipped to Tanzania in batches for final assembly. The vessels measure 70.08 metres with a width of 15 metres and feature a 2,000 tonne carrying capacity with a cruising range of 1,000 nautical miles.

According vessel operator, Zijin Mining at the time of the launch of one of the vessel in November last year, the fleet will create a shipping link between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania through inland waterway transport. The route is a key part of Zijin’s strategy to support its DRC operations through an eastern logistics corridor in Africa.

PHOTO: The vessel, Golden Voyage No1, was inaugurated in the presence of Tanzania’s Transport Minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa in November last year. (Source: Zijin Mining)

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