MV Liemba returns to service on Lake Tanganyika after eight years

The passenger vessel MV Liemba has returned to service on Lake Tanganyika, restoring transport and trade routes between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo after an eight-year suspension caused by worn-out machinery and the need for major repairs, according to Mwananchi. The historic ship departed Kigoma in western Tanzania for Kalemie in eastern DRC on October 6, 2026, following a 34 billion Tanzanian shilling, or approximately $13.2 million, rehabilitation project.

A Century-Old Vessel Restored for Regional Trade

Built in Germany in 1913 and launched on the lake in 1915 under the name Graf von Goetzen, the vessel was scuttled during the First World War in 1916. The British salvaged the ship in 1924, returning it to active service as the Liemba in 1927. Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Merchant Group carried out the recent overhaul in partnership with Croatia’s Brodosplit JSC to repair worn-out machinery and upgrade passenger facilities.

Economic Relief for Lakeside Communities

Simon Chobogo, a resident of Kibirizi in Kigoma-Ujiji, told Mwananchi that the resumption of voyages will help revive local businesses and employment opportunities that suffered during the prolonged shutdown. After the ship stopped operating, we lost many traders from the Congo. Resuming voyages will make trade in fish and dried sardines easier and facilitate cargo transport.

Expanded Routes and Upcoming Official Launch

Lake Tanganyika borders Tanzania, the DRC, Burundi, and Zambia, and the restored vessel is scheduled to serve ports across all four neighboring countries once its operations scale up. An official named Hamissi told Mwananchi that the initial journeys are preliminary trips ahead of a formal public launch. These are the initial official trips taking place before the launch, Hamissi said. We will officially launch later and inform the public when the time comes.