East Africa Marine Transport (EAMT) has commissioned M.V. Mpungu, the first scheduled roll-on/roll-off freight vessel to start commercial operations on Lake Victoria.
The 96-metre-long vessel will now operate two scheduled crossings per week between Port Bell, Uganda, and Mwanza, Tanzania, reducing transit times to just 18 hours compared to the current three to four-day road journey.
“We are looking at whatever kind of cargo that is currently moving on the road. We are looking at the trade that moves between Tanzania and Uganda at the Mutukula border,” Rodney Seema, Regional Asset Management Lead for InfraCo said the during the launch on January 31.
The project, valued at approximately $20m (about sh73.82 billion), was funded by the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) through InfraCo, along with Grindrod Limited.
About 1,000 vehicles are estimated to cross the Mutukula border per day, with cargo trucks spending a lot more time through customs from Tanzania to Uganda.
The vessel was built by SECO Marine Uganda Limited at the largest shipyard located in Entebbe. The vessel recently received accreditation from FAST-Infra, an industry-led system that recognizes sustainable infrastructure projects globally.
Speaking on behalf of the President Yoweri Museveni, Hon Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister noted that the vessel eases the cost of doing business and opens up regional trade opportunities.
“The bone marrow of any economy is the cost of transport. When the unit cost of transport is low, the cost of production automatically lowers and this increases profit margin. No investor can be attracted to any economy to make losses. This vessel has the potential to transform regional trade,” she said.
The British High Commissioner to Uganda H.E. Lisa Cheney MBE said: “This vessel is more than just an infrastructure project, it’s a game-changer for businesses, offering a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective transport solution that will drive economic growth and integration across borders.
“I’m especially proud of the UK government’s role in funding this strategic initiative through InfraCo and the PIDG group of companies, alongside the Netherlands and Switzerland.”
EAMT plans to expand operations with additional sailings and potential routes to Kenya.
Book Cars + Hotels in Entebbe
Get Entebbe Airport Car Rental & Hotel Deals near Entebbe Airport When You Book Them Together! Find deals from $50 per by comparing on Responsible Tourism Company. Visit our website. Responsible Tourism Company Rental Cars https://responsibletourismcompany.com/transportation-services/
For more information or any other inquiries, be sure to reach out to us at Responsible Tourism Company.
