Tanzania has inaugurated the MV Mwanza (IMO 9999990) at Port Mwanza on Lake Victoria, officially bringing Africa’s largest freshwater passenger vessel into service. Built at the Mwanza shipyard with South Korean technical support, the ferry first saw its hull launched in February 2023. The project cost $46.9 million, or 120.56 billion Tanzanian shillings, and the vessel can carry 1,200 passengers, 400 tonnes of cargo, 20 vehicles, and three trucks. It will operate across Lake Victoria, linking ports in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
The MV Mwanza represents more than the arrival of a new ship. It reflects Tanzania’s growing ambition to strengthen its role as a transport and logistics hub for Eastern and Central Africa. As Lake Victoria remains a critical trade route, the ferry’s entry into service marks a step in improving regional movement of people and goods, both in practical terms and in national outlook.
The vessel’s limited truck capacity reflects a clear design choice. With the Standard Gauge Railway expected to expand regional freight movement, the MV Mwanza focuses on passenger transport and mixed cargo rather than large-scale roll-on roll-off operations. Its 400-tonne cargo capacity forms the core of its freight role, while the vehicle deck allows room for essential heavy vehicles without reducing passenger space.
This approach positions the MV Mwanza as a versatile flagship for Lake Victoria transport. It combines passenger travel, bulk cargo movement, and limited vehicle carriage within a single platform designed for regional connectivity.
On 23 January 2026, Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba led the official inauguration ceremony at Mwanza South Port. The event marked the vessel’s entry into service as a major addition to East Africa’s inland waterway fleet and underscored Tanzania’s investment in improving cross-border trade and transport links.
The MV Mwanza measures 92.6 metres in length and 17 metres in width, with a gross weight of 3,500 tonnes spread across four decks. It operates at a speed of 16 knots and accommodates up to 1,200 passengers alongside 400 tonnes of cargo and 20 vehicles, including three heavy trucks. The vessel has also reduced travel time between Mwanza and Bukoba to approximately six to seven hours, down from the previous eight to ten hours.
source: africaports.co.za
