Tanzania has launched a locally built cargo and passenger ship in the Lake Victoria port of Mwanza, its northwestern city.
The vessel, described by the government as the largest in the Great Lakes region, is expected to improve transportation between East African countries that share the lake.
The ship can transport 1,200 people, 400 tonnes of cargo, and 20 vehicles.
It is 82% complete and costs 109 billion Tanzanian shillings ($46.6 million; £38.6 million).
Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Gabriel Migire, said the ship’s construction was an initiative to help improve trade between the lake’s border regions.
Gerson Msigwa, a government spokesman, shared images of the ship:
Rasmi MV Mwanza “Hapa Kazi Tu” yawekwa majini katika Ziwa Victoria.
Meli hii kubwa ina uweza wa kubeba abiria 1,200 na tani 400 za mzigo. Ujenzi wa meli hii umefikia 80%. Itadumu kwa miaka 50.#KaziIendelee pic.twitter.com/3I966cM0Ny
— Gerson Msigwa (@MsigwaGerson) February 12, 2023
