The MV New Mwanza was officially unveiled on Lake Victoria by Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, who said modern maritime transport would play an increasingly important role in supporting cross-border commerce and diplomacy among countries bordering the lake.

Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, borders Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya and sustains millions through fishing, passenger transport, and trade. Governments across the region have long cited maritime capacity and safety as major constraints to deeper economic integration.

“Lake Victoria connects our economies,” Nchemba said at the launch in Mwanza. “These vessels should support trade, promote economic diplomacy, and strengthen cooperation with our neighbours.”

The MV New Mwanza can carry 1,200 passengers and 400 tonnes of cargo, including heavy trucks and light vehicles, significantly expanding capacity for both commercial logistics and passenger transport. Measuring 92.6 metres in length and 17 metres wide, the ship is nearly the size of a football pitch and stands as tall as a four-storey building. It is powered by two high-capacity marine engines designed for continuous operation.

Nchemba described the vessel as a symbol of Tanzania’s industrial and technical capability, noting it was built to international maritime standards. He called for the skills gained during construction to be applied to other shipbuilding projects, including vessels on Lake Tanganyika linking Tanzania with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia.

On safety, the prime minister emphasized adherence to professional standards, noting the ship’s advanced navigation and rescue systems, including automatic distress signal transmission and a voyage data recorder, often called a maritime “black box.”

Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASHICO) Managing Director Eric Hamissi said the vessel offers multiple passenger classes, from economy to VIP, and is designed to serve both domestic and regional markets. 

Construction began in 2019 at a cost of $51.8 million. When the current administration took office, the project was 40% complete, with nearly 80 billion Tanzanian shillings provided to finalize construction to international quality and safety standards, Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa said.

Officials said MV New Mwanza is expected to boost tourism, improve safety on one of Africa’s busiest inland waterways, and reinforce Lake Victoria’s role as a key economic corridor for East African trade.

As trade within the East African Community grows, Tanzania said investments like MV New Mwanza will position inland maritime transport as a reliable, safe, and internationally competitive mode of connectivity.

Notes to Editors

·      Tanzania has launched Africa’s largest inland freshwater vessel, MV New Mwanza, on Lake Victoria, aiming to strengthen regional trade, passenger transport, and economic cooperation in East Africa.

·      The vessel can carry 1,200 passengers and 400 tonnes of cargo, including trucks and vehicles, expanding capacity for logistics and commerce.

·      MV New Mwanza is 92.6 meters long, 17 meters wide, and powered by high-capacity marine engines, built to international maritime standards.

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