The government is moving closer to restoring passenger services on Lake Tanganyika after the rehabilitated MV Liemba entered the water for initial lake trials, with operations expected to resume from September 1, 2026.
Transport Minister Prof Makame Mbarawa said on Saturday that the trials were an important step in ensuring the vessel is safe, reliable and ready to serve communities that depend on water transport along the Lake Tanganyika corridor.
The government has invested about TZS34 billion in the major rehabilitation of the vessel, including the installation of two new engines, three new generators, new navigation and control equipment, improved passenger facilities and new deck timber.
Prof Mbarawa said the rehabilitation followed several years of government efforts to secure a contractor, beginning in 2019 and culminating in the signing of a rehabilitation contract in 2023.
He said the overhaul had significantly upgraded the vessel's major systems and equipment, while spare parts had also been procured to support maintenance and minimise service disruptions.
The lake trials are aimed at determining whether MV Liemba can safely perform the tasks required during normal operations before it is cleared to carry passengers.
Engineers are assessing engine performance, speed, stopping ability, manoeuvrability and stability, as well as emergency systems.
Navigation and communication equipment, including radar, GPS, AIS, compass and radio systems, are also being tested.
Fire-fighting equipment, alarms, emergency generators and life-saving equipment are undergoing checks as part of the safety assessment.
The tests are intended to identify and address potential technical problems, including excessive vibration, overheating, leakage or system failures, before the vessel returns to commercial service.
Following the lake trials, MV Liemba will undergo further inspection by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) before receiving the required clearance to resume voyages.
Prof Mbarawa said the scale of the rehabilitation, combined with regular maintenance, was expected to enable MV Liemba to remain operational for at least another 50 years.
If all remaining technical and regulatory procedures are completed as planned, the minister said, MV Liemba will resume services on September 1, 2026.
Its return is expected to strengthen transport links for communities living around Lake Tanganyika and support the movement of passengers and goods across the lake corridor.
For residents and businesses that depend on the lake for transport, the return of MV Liemba could provide an important alternative to road travel, particularly for communities where road connectivity remains challenging.
The final inspections and certification will be critical in ensuring the rehabilitated vessel meets required maritime safety and operational standards before returning to full service.
