The World Food Program (WFP), the largest humanitarian organization in the world, has reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with the Tanzania Shipping Company Limited (TASHICO) to transport food cargo.
WFP representatives from the headquarters in Rome visited TASHICO’s headquarters in Mwanza to assess the company's role in transporting food from Dar es Salaam Port to South Sudan, via Uganda.
During their visit, the WFP team also inspected the MV Umoja, a ship used to transport food from Mwanza Port to Uganda and then South Sudan to help feed people in need.
After the visit to the MV Umoja at Mwanza Port, WFP Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Sala Maharenovic said they were there to evaluate the cooperation between WFP and TASHICO.
She added that the visit was to assess whether their partnership has been productive for both sides.
“This visit is important for understanding what improvements are needed to strengthen our relationship with TASHICO,” Maharenovic said.
TASHICO Managing Director Eric Hamissi expressed his happiness about receiving the WFP delegation and said the relationship between TASHICO and WFP continues to grow.
He shared that the MV Umoja ship had been in poor condition before major repairs, but thanks to a government investment of Tsh 19.5 billion in 2021, the ship is now in good working order.
“We are excited to continue working with WFP, especially after the MV Umoja underwent major repairs and is back in service,” said Hamissi.
WFP Tanzania’s Head of Transport and Supply, Mamoud Mabuyu, explained that the visit was part of a review of their partnership with TASHICO, which is one of their key partners in transportation.
He noted that the evaluation will help assess the benefits of the long-term partnership.
TASHICO’s Marketing Manager Eugenia Punjila praised the government’s support for their projects. She also highlighted the upcoming challenges of handling large cargo once the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is completed.
MV Umoja’s veteran captain, Bembele Samson Ng’wita, shared that after the repairs, the ship’s performance has greatly improved compared to ten years ago.
TASHICO, a state-owned company, began its operations in 1961 as part of the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) Marine Division.
It aims to advance the country’s shipping sector. Over the years, TASHICO has completed several projects, including rehabilitating old vessels and improving water transport on Tanzania's major lakes: Victoria, Tanganyika, and Nyasa.
In 1997, the company was transformed into the Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL), and by 1999, it was operating with 14 ships. However, some ships became too old and had to be retired for safety reasons, leaving TASHICO with only five active vessels by 2017.
In November 2024, the government changed MSCL's name to TASHICO to improve the performance of the shipping sector.
This change is part of a broader reform in water transport under President Samia Suluhu Hassan. By 2030, TASHICO aims to employ 5,000 people.By Staff Writer, Mwanza
The World Food Program (WFP), the largest humanitarian organization in the world, has reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with the Tanzania Shipping Company Limited (TASHICO) to transport food cargo.
WFP representatives from the headquarters in Rome visited TASHICO’s headquarters in Mwanza to assess the company's role in transporting food from Dar es Salaam Port to South Sudan, via Uganda.
During their visit, the WFP team also inspected the MV Umoja, a ship used to transport food from Mwanza Port to Uganda and then South Sudan to help feed people in need.
After the visit to the MV Umoja at Mwanza Port, WFP Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Sala Maharenovic said they were there to evaluate the cooperation between WFP and TASHICO.
She added that the visit was to assess whether their partnership has been productive for both sides.
“This visit is important for understanding what improvements are needed to strengthen our relationship with TASHICO,” Maharenovic said.
TASHICO Managing Director Eric Hamissi expressed his happiness about receiving the WFP delegation and said the relationship between TASHICO and WFP continues to grow.
He shared that the MV Umoja ship had been in poor condition before major repairs, but thanks to a government investment of Tsh 19.5 billion in 2021, the ship is now in good working order.
“We are excited to continue working with WFP, especially after the MV Umoja underwent major repairs and is back in service,” said Hamissi.
WFP Tanzania’s Head of Transport and Supply, Mamoud Mabuyu, explained that the visit was part of a review of their partnership with TASHICO, which is one of their key partners in transportation.
He noted that the evaluation will help assess the benefits of the long-term partnership.
TASHICO’s Marketing Manager Eugenia Punjila praised the government’s support for their projects. She also highlighted the upcoming challenges of handling large cargo once the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is completed.
MV Umoja’s veteran captain, Bembele Samson Ng’wita, shared that after the repairs, the ship’s performance has greatly improved compared to ten years ago.
TASHICO, a state-owned company, began its operations in 1961 as part of the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) Marine Division.
It aims to advance the country’s shipping sector. Over the years, TASHICO has completed several projects, including rehabilitating old vessels and improving water transport on Tanzania's major lakes: Victoria, Tanganyika, and Nyasa.
In 1997, the company was transformed into the Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL), and by 1999, it was operating with 14 ships.
However, some ships became too old and had to be retired for safety reasons, leaving TASHICO with only five active vessels by 2017.
In November 2024, the government changed MSCL's name to TASHICO to improve the performance of the shipping sector.
This change is part of a broader reform in water transport under President Samia Suluhu Hassan. By 2030, TASHICO aims to employ 5,000 people.
