Pioneering East Africa Marine Transport

A new freight transport ship, MV Mpungu, was launched from Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria on Wednesday ahead of its maiden voyage in April. Speaking at the launch, Xolani Mbambo, Grindrod’s CEO said: “The ferry operation aims to provide a reliable, efficient and cost-effective solution for businesses in the region, thereby promoting trade, and contributing to economic growth.” The ‘roll-on/roll-off’ vessel – which accommodates trucks driven on at the departing port, then off at their destination – is intended to strengthen trade links between Uganda and neighbouring Tanzania. The Mpungu will operate scheduled freight services between Port Bell, near the Ugandan capital Kampala, and Mwanza at the southern edge of the lake in Tanzania. The journey will take just 18 hours – compared to the three or four days usually needed to transport goods by truck around the shores of the lake.

AFRICAN BUSINESS