DAR ES SALAAM, June 15 (Xinhua)--Tanzania Shipping Company Limited (TASHICO), a state-owned enterprise, and the Democratic Republic of Congo's national shipping firm, Lignes Maritimes Congolaises (LMC), on Monday signed a three-year agreement in northern Tanzania city Mwanza to strengthen passenger and cargo transport on Lake Tanganyika, aiming to enhance regional trade efficiency and connectivity across East and Central Africa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, TASHICO Managing Director Eric Hamissi described the deal as a strategic step to build national maritime capacity and expand Tanzania's role as a trade gateway.
"This is a partnership driven by mutual need. We want to improve efficiency in water transport and fully utilize opportunities available in the Lake Tanganyika corridor," he said.
Under the agreement, the two sides will engage in skills exchange, leveraging LMC's ocean shipping expertise and Tanzania's extensive experience in Great Lakes navigation.
Initial operations will rely on chartered vessels, while long-term plans envision jointly owned ships serving regional markets, Hamissi said.
LMC Director General's representative Frank Nkulu said the partnership will modernize transport systems and unlock new economic opportunities for communities around Lake Tanganyika.
Traders welcomed the move, saying it will reduce costs and delivery times, thereby boosting business growth across the region. ■
