Tanzania is building a giant cargo ship to cover the Indian Ocean ports of Dar, Comoros, Mombasa and Seychelles
It seems the procurement procedures are set to be finalized sometime in December 2026, which means the ship building works may sail from early 2027 and if all goes to plan, the cargo vessel should be ready by 2029.
Black News 
Tanzania is investing USD 4 Million in the proposed construction of a giant cargo ship to sail in the Indian Ocean waters, serving among other destinations, Comoros, Mombasa in Kenya and Seychelles.
The funds, amounting to more than 10 billion/- in local currency, have already been set aside in the country’s fiscal year 2026-2027 national budget, according to official reports from Dodoma.
Tabled at the National Assembly in Dodoma, the report from the Ministry of Transport revealed that the proposed ship construction project is among the ongoing initiatives to boost blue economy development for both the mainland and Isles.
The Parliament was told that the Tanzania Shipping Company (TASHICO) Limited has already begun the initial procurement exercise towards the envisaged vessel building project.
It seems the procurement procedures are set to be finalized sometime in December 2026, which means the ship building works may sail from early 2027 and if all goes to plan, the cargo vessel should be ready by 2029.
Tanzania will handle the job to a reliable contractor to build the ship and complete the project within a frame of two years.
Meanwhile the feasibility studies on the maritime project are being undertaken by the Dar es Salaam Merchant Group (DMG).
The Tanzania Shipping Company’s Managing Director, Eric Hamissi, explained that once completed the vessel would start shipping cargo between the ports of Mtwara, Tanga and Dar es Salaam.
Later the ship’s manifest will be expanded to cover the ports of Mombasa, Seychelles and the Comoros, to enhance cargo transportation on the Indian Ocean as well as boost regional trade and business in Tanzania.
The cargo ship is just the first among various vessels that Tanzania, through the country’s state shipping entity (TASHICO) is planning on the Indian Ocean, others being the envisaged long-distance oil tankers that will be sailing to as far as China and Russia.
Among the other landmark projects set for accomplishment by TASHICO this year, is the construction of a major shipyard at Katabe Bay on Lake Tanganyika in Kigoma Region.
Costing over 324 billion/- upon completion, the envisaged facility is expected to play a pivotal role in placing Tanzania at the helm of the shipbuilding sector within East and Central Africa.
It has the capacity to harbor ships of at least 5,000 tons, apart from building and serving home vessels, the establishment will also play a notable role in repairing ships from neighboring countries.
A contract for the construction of the marine facility was signed in 2023 between the Tanzania Shipping Company (TASHICO) and MM/S Dearsan Shipyard.
