The East African Marine Transport (EAMT) vessel, M.V Mpungu,is the first scheduled roll-on/roll-off freight vessel of its kind to operate on Lake Victoria,linking Uganda and Tanzania, with potential for expansion into Kenya.
As a pioneering vessel registered under the Uganda flag and built in Uganda by regional ship builders, Southern Engineering Company (SECO) Ltd, they anticipate that the technology will help the industry chart a course towards a greener future.
Offering faster and safer crossings and reduced carbon emissions, the fuel-efficient vessel is set to transform regional trade by cutting journey times from 4 days to 18 hours and supporting the decarbonisation of the region’s transport sector.
M.V Mpungu’s commencement of operations is highly expected to address the challenges of road congestion and unreliable freight transport across Lake Victoria with a pledge to ensure cost-effective transport solutions for the region.
The 96-meter-long,17.5m width and 18 m height vessel’s design and construction involved collaboration among several stakeholders, including InfraCo Africa, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), regional logistics company Grindrod Limited, and design firms such as OSK Design and S&O Maritime at the largest Shipyard in Uganda.
Key Design Features:
- Cargo Capacity: The MV Mpungu can handle up to 1,000 tons of containerized cargo, equivalent to 21 trailers.
- Roll-On/Roll-Off Design: This design allows vehicles to drive directly onto the vessel at the departure port and off at the destination, facilitating efficient loading and unloading processes.
- Scheduled Service: The vessel offers a reliable, scheduled freight service between Port Bell in Uganda and Mwanza in Tanzania, completing the lake crossing in approximately 18 hours.
- Fuel Efficiency: The MV Mpungu is designed to be fuel-efficient, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions and alleviate congestion on regional road networks by providing an alternative to road transport.
This ferry was built to international standards and was supported by the British Government, the Netherlands and Switzerland to enhance regional trade.
Amidst all the applause to the new wonder on Lake Victoria, it suffices to note that the name “Mpungu” translated as an eagle, that often soars above the Lake Victoria,hunting for fish, was coined by pupils of Lakeside Primary School,in Luzira Port Bell.