The Kenya Railways Corporation has announced that the newly constructed MV Uhuru II vessel will have a profound impact on regional trade, thanks to its significant cargo capacity.
In a statement, the corporation emphasized that the vessel is set to revolutionize commerce across East Africa, improving the efficiency of maritime transport on Lake Victoria.
“The vessel will play a significant role in enhancing regional trade by improving the efficiency and capacity of maritime transport across Lake Victoria,” read the statement in part.
The construction of MV Uhuru II began in June 2021, led by Kenya Shipyards Limited (KSL), which is under the hospice of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
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The 100-metre-long vessel, designed to transport petroleum products, cereals, fertilizers, sugar, and seeds, can carry up to 1,063 metric tonnes of cargo.
On Thursday, KDF officially handed over the Sh2.4 billion MV Uhuru II to Kenya Railways, following its commissioning by President William Ruto in October last year.
The move is part of a broader government strategy to boost trade within the region and ease transportation demands on Lake Victoria.
MV Uhuru II was built to complement the operations of its predecessor, MV Uhuru I, which was constructed in 1965 and restored by KDF in 2019.
MV Uhuru I, which has a cargo capacity of 1,260 metric tonnes, has been crucial in transporting goods within the region since its rehabilitation.
The introduction of MV Uhuru II is expected to further increase the efficiency of maritime transport in East Africa, reducing logistical challenges and driving economic growth across the region.
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