The state-owned entity Tanzania Shipping
Company Ltd (TASHICO) is set to celebrate this year's Independence Day on
December 9, with much to brag about as it has succeeded in fetching remarkable
milestones since its official inception.
The company began operations in 1961 under
the name TRC Marine Division. With a major zeal to advance the country's
shipping sector, it has so far managed to execute a number of robust projects.
The projects, among others, included those
based on rehabilitation of the dilapidated vessels, building new ships as well as improving Tanzania's
water transportation, especially in the key populated water bodies of Victoria,
Tanganyika and Nyasa lakes.
According to the Company's Managing
Director, Mr Eric B. Hamissi said that immediately after Independence, the
company operated under the supervision of the East African Community, whereby the
government had continued to provide water transport services in lakes Victoria,
Tanganyika and Nyasa using three vessels, namely MV ships. Victoria, M.V.
clarias (1961) in Lake Victoria; and M.V. Liemba (1913) in Lake Tanganyika.
The vessels, according to him, served
Victoria lake, M.V. Butiama, (1980), MT.
Ukerewe (1983) and M.V. Serengeti (1988), whereby the Tanganyika lake was
served by M.T. Sangara (1981) and,M.V. Mwongozo (1982).
"The remaining two vessels were
directed to facilitate transportation at lake Nyasa, including M.V. Songea and
M.V. Iringa," he informed.
In 1997 the TRC Marine Division was
transformed to MSCL, under the Companies Act chapter 212, on 08 December 1997
from the Railway Corporation (TRC), but it started operations on August 1, 1999
with 14 ships and one boat.
"The reason behind the transformation
was to enable the then division at TRC to become a full-fledged company, the
reasonable development which laid the foundation for remarkable achievement in
the sector" he said.
The move sparked some notable success, he
said, as the company managed to own at
least 14 ships as of 2015, saying out of the vessels, nine are based in lake
Victoria, three and one boat serves at
lake Tanganyika and two in lake Nyasa.
"But by then, many ships were there
for a long time, they became worn out and led to others being stopped from
providing services to protect the safety of the vessel and the safety of
people's lives and their property," he noted.
He said the situation compelled the company
to remain with only five active vessels by 2017, that used to sail at lake
Victoria (MV.Umoja and MV Clarias), lake Tanganyika was served with MV Liemba
and MT Sangara, whereby lake Nyasa was facilitated by MV Songea.
To that end, Mr Hamissi informed that in
2017 the government started to set aside enough money to enable implementation
of four major projects at lake Victoria.
On the same vein, he said in 2022 the
government directed the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to raise a specific
budget to allow implementation of four major projects at lake Victoria.
"The focus was to revamp water
transport towards passengers and luggages at the lake," he said.
To fuel the strategy, he said in 2022, the
government ordered TPA to handover three vessels to MSCL, including MV. Mbeya
II, MV. Njombe and MV. Ruvuma. The ships which are currently still role out
services at lake Nyasa.
Implementation of the four projects at lake
Victoria was completed under the two major phases, according to him.
"The first phase was implemented from
2018-2023, which saw construction of a new ship, MV Mwanza “Hapa Kazi Tu”, with
capacity to carry a total of 1, 200 passengers together with 400 tons of cargo
at lake Victoria," he detailed.
He added, the phase also incorporated construction of a special ship building
-backup, as well as repair of MV Victoria vessel which ply to Kwemba Bukoba
from Mwanza via Kemondo.
Together with that, Mr Hamissi added that
during the first phase, MV Butiama was rehabilitated into 'New Butiama Hapa
Kazi Tu' , saying the vessel is sailing daily to Nansio from Mwanza.
"The ongoing second phase ( 2023 to
2028) works to accomplish four key projects," he said.
He unveiled the projects as construction of
a new ship with a capacity of 3,000 tons in Lake Victoria, major repair of the
ship MV. Union carrying wagons in Lake Victoria.
"The contract for this project was
signed on June 15, 2021 and completed in September, 2023. Currently, the ship
continues to transport cargo since October 2023," the Director added.
Giving further details pertaining to the
projects under the second phase, he said include repair of a rescue ship, MV
Ukerewe in Lake Victoria.
" Among the ongoing project also
include a major repair of oil cargo ship, MV Nyangumi, its contract was signed
on November 17, 2023," he briefed.
Not only that, he said the other four
projects is being implemented in lake Tanganyika. "These include repair of
oil cargo ship, MT Sangara, construction of a new cargo ship with capacity to
harbor at least 3,500 tons at a go," he informed.
With an eye to improve service delivery in
the sector, he said the ongoing program involves installation of a ship
building factory at lake Tanganyika, and a major repair of MV Liemba.
"All projects in the second phase
generally gobble up to 326,027,480.02 US
Dollars, which is equal to 893,315,295,254.8 Shillings," he unveiled.
And the director said, on 18th November
2024, the government decided to transform MSCL into TASHICO in yet another bid
to heighten the performance of the sector.
"These changes are brought about by
the revolution made in the water transport sector by the government of the
Sixth Phase of the Hon. Dr. Samia Solution Hassan," he appreciated.
He added," this change is also due to
TASHICO's plans to have ships in the Indian Ocean for which the feasibility
study has begun and the ships will be traveling in the Middle East, as well as
in the far East such as China, to mention but a few,"
Mr Hamissi also explained that the process
has taken shape to introduce the company''s ships in the Indian Ocean, saying
in this financial year, 2024/2025, a feasibility study is being done whereby in
the next financial year 2025/2026 construction will start for one cargo ship.
"However, there will be cargo ships
that will make their trips to the Comoro islands," he insisted.
Until the year 2030, he informed, TASHICO
is expected to have 5,000 workers in order
to be able to meet the needs of the ships owned by the company.
"The goal is to continue working
together so as to make a significant contribution to the national income
through water transport. Our country is surrounded by water from the sea to the
great lakes, therefore the Government is going to bring about a revolution in
this sector through TASHICO,"
Detailing over the key reason for changing the company's name, from
MSCL into currently TASHICO, he said: "The reasons, among others is to
bring a big change in our identity and lay a solid foundation for the growth of
the company,"
Others reasons, he added, is to have a
strong national identity, "With the new identify,TASHICO clearly
identifies us as a Tanzanian company with strong roots in our country unlike
the previous name. The new name also shows our commitment to developing
Tanzania's economy and connecting different areas of our country with
neighboring countries,"
Increasing competition in the international
market is the other target, according to him.
"Based on MSCL's Strategic Plan to
expand the scope of its activities from the Great Lakes region to the deep sea,
we believe this new name will make our institution conduct itself in a
competitive commercial manner unlike the previous name," he said.
He insisted: "In addition, this new
name has an appeal that will help us open new doors in the international
market. This name will help us attract new customers, international partners
and investors. we are prepared to enter new markets, including transportation
of general cargo, fuel, and other products."
Together with that, Mr Hamissi added that
among the target is the zeal to reflect the broad scope of their activities.
"Unlike the previous name, which did
not reflect the core activities of our institution, TASHICO clearly indicates
that our institution is exclusively engaged in water transport activities,"
he noted.
"These lakes that our ships operates
border several countries in East and Central Africa, the investment made by the
government to TASHICO in the construction of cargo ships will enable Tanzania
to strengthen trade with neighboring countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Zambia,
Burundi, DRC and Malawi, which will expand the market for local products and
bring in foreign currency," according to the Director.
He itemized more foreseen benefits as
reduction in transport services in the country.
"For instance, cargo from the port of
Dar es Salaam to Uganda by road takes longer than if you use Lake Victoria via
Mwanza, for example from the port of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) to Kampala
(Uganda) by road is 1,717 kilometers but from Dar es Salaam to Kampala through
the LakeVictoria is 1,470 km,"
"It's the same for cargo going to
Kalemie, DRC, it's easier to cross Lake Tanganyika than to cross the road,
either through Tunduma, then Zambia, 1,922 kilometers or through Burundi, 1,877
kilometers. But from Dar es Salaam to Kalemie (DRC) via Kigoma Port is 1,375
Kilometers," he observed.
The tourism sector will also be touched by
the initiative, he mentioned, saying through the investment the hovernment will
attract local and foreign tourists who want to travel through these lakes.
"For example, when starting to
operate, the MV Liemba which is currently under great repair in Kigoma
region will also be used as a tourist
attraction which will bring more income to the government and the communities
around the lakes," he informed.
The Director, Mr Hamissi extended gratitude
to President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for prioritizing the company,and the sector
as a whole.
"I would like to use this opportunity
to thank all the stakeholders who have cooperated with us in various ways in
our journey so far. Uniquely, we would like to thank the Government of the
Sixth Phase under the dynamic leadership of the Honorable President of the
United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for the large investment
that continues to be made in our institution.
"The investment that involves the implementation of large development projects is what builds our company's ability to operate commercially and expand the scope of its operations. without this big investment, this process of changing the name of the Company would not have any meaning and instead it would be like "changing the bottle only when the wine is the same"