The first Lake Victoria ships to transport roll-on, roll-off cargo, such as cars, trucks, or commercial vehicles, were introduced in Uganda.
The ship, which goes by the name M.V. Mpungu, is owned and run by East Aria Marine Transport (EAMT), a partnership between Grindrod Limited and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) InfraCo Africa.
Instead of being lifted by a crane as in traditional cargo operations, vehicles such as cars, trucks, or trailers are driven directly onto the ship using a ramp, effectively “rolling on” and “rolling off” on their own wheels. This method is mainly used for wheeled cargo that can move on its own.
Grindrod CEO Xolani Mbambo stated that the customer and the communities are at the center of the project during his remarks at the launch on Friday at Port Bell in Luzira.
By cutting transit times from days to hours, we are dedicated to revolutionizing freight transportation across Lake Victoria, Mbambo stated.
He stated that before adding Kenya, the ship will now sail between Port Bell and Mwanza in Tanzania.
“As MV Mpungu serves as the cornerstone of an effective logistical network around Lake Victoria, we have continuously operated with excellence. Therefore, we are thrilled to provide our clients in Tanzania and Uganda with long-lasting value by making it easier for cargo to transit smoothly from point of origin to point of destination.
According to Gilles Vaes, chief investment and project development officer of PIDG InfraCo, such a vessel will significantly boost the amount of cargo carried by sea.
“The secret to releasing Lake Victoria’s enormous trading potential lies in the construction of first-rate port facilities and marine infrastructure like this vessel. We expect that this vessel marks the start of an increase in commerce activities on Lake Victora, as Uganda is a landlocked nation,” Vaes stated.
According to officials, the ship would transport 19 trailers on each journey and cut the four-day journey from Kampala to Mwanza down to just 18 hours.
As a result, Ugandan highways will experience less strain and traffic congestion.
Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Transportation, couldn’t be more in agreement.
Since Uganda is a landlocked nation, a large portion of our imports and exports are transported by road. Numerous expenses accompany this, including expensive road maintenance costs, environmental costs, and associated land tariff barriers, which have raised the cost of transportation. Additionally, there is the wasteful practice of commemorative scrutiny of commodities, which tends to raise operating expenses. And I have to tell you that you have directly impacted us with these higher expenses,” Byamukama stated.
He claimed that all of these expenses, in addition to the transit time, had been covered with the arrival of the MV Mpungu.
“It is subversive for any leader not to support investors like the owners of MV Mpungu,” President Museveni said in an address read by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, praising the ship’s owners.
He said the ship’s introduction was opportune for connecting Uganda to other markets in Africa and East Africa.
Fresh produce may spoil during the three or four days that lorries must travel on a busy road to reach from Mwanza. Additionally, the expense of using roadways is unaffordable for farmers and dealers. All of these would be eliminated with the arrival of the MV Mpungu, Museveni declared.
According to him, the ship will promote trade between Uganda and the other nations.
“The Ugandan economy will also profit from this project in other long-term ways. More than 160 Ugandans with expertise in crafts like steel cutting, welding, engineering, and electrical services were employed when this vessel was constructed at Entebbe.
