Train operator resumes ferry services

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Rift Valley Railways (RVR), the concessionaire of the Kenya-Uganda railway has resumed its maritime services on Lake Victoria. This is after it took over the MV Kaawa, which was re-commissioned by Uganda’s Minister of Works and transport Abraham Byandala at Port Bell in Kampala early this month.

The vessel had been withdrawn from service in 2005 after being severely damaged in a collision with her sister vessel the MV Kabalega resulting in the sinking of the Kabalega.  Following the mishap, the Uganda Government ordered the grounding of all wagon Ferries operating in Uganda pending their full rehabilitation and compliance with maritime regulations.

Speaking during the handover ceremony held on board of the recently rehabilitated vessel; RVR Group Chief Executive Mr Brown Ondego said that the handover was a historic day for RVR and its concession partners.

“MV Kaawa will play a strategic role in our operations as it will allow us to carry more volumes and give us the possibility of servicing new and existing clients using the southern corridor through Tanzania”, said Mr.Brown.

 Byandala thanked the World Bank for financing the East Africa trade and facilitation project under which the contract falls. He valued the completed works at about $3.5 million (Sh300 million).

The MV Kaawa has the capacity to carry up to 1,232 tonnes or 22 fully loaded wagons at one go, this is in contrast to most vessels currently on the Lake whose capacity is only about 400 tonnes.

RVR will also be launching another vessel, the MV Uhuru, within the next two months. MV Uhuru, a local registered vessel, will complement and support MV Kaawa on the proposed triangular service between Port Bell in Uganda, Mwanza in Tanzania and Kisumu in Kenya.

“The two vessels will give RVR the capacity to transport a minimum of 200,000 tonnes a year. This is in line with our strategy to offer intermodal transport solutions and help us achieve our business objectives of being able to transport at least 4.5 million tonnes of freight by rail per annum within the next five years,” said Ondego.