DAR ES SALAAM: In Tanzania knowledge of ship design is limited. The
expensive solution is to bring in foreign experts.
A new joint venture between Danish Johs. Gram-Hanssen A/S and
Tanzanian shipyard Songoro Marine Transport is bringing state-of-the
art technology and ship-building know-how to Tanzania.
The Mwanza-based shipyard’s portfolio includes ferries, fishery
inspection vessels, and various patrol boats, as well as world—class
vessels for Lake Victoria and neighbouring Uganda and Kenya. Anders
Jensen from Johs. Gram-Hanssen A/S is proud of what has been achieved;
“Now we are actually building something that has the same quality of
what is imported. That is a big step forward for our company and for
shipbuilding capabilities in East Africa”.
The partnership has the potential of improving the Tanzanian
shipbuilding industry tremendously while creating jobs in Mwanza.
Revolutionizing the industry
To improve ship design in Tanzania, the partners work with institutes
in Dar es Salaam, on training local naval engineers of tomorrow. This
will revolutionize ship-building in Tanzania as high quality ships can
be designed locally and specific to local conditions of materials and
resources. In this way a viable local expertise will be developed with
less foreign dependence.
Tanzanians instead of South Africans
New technology will also make Mwanza the only place in the EAC-area
where high-level quality test can be carried out. Currently such
activities are handled by specialists from Dubai and South Africa.
Other upcoming projects include marine safety training classes,
something that is badly needed in Tanzania due to lack of funds and
skilled staff, and HIV/AIDS seminars for shipyard workers.
A boat from the shipyard is transferred overland in Tanzania June 2011
Danida B2B Support
The joint venture has been set up with support from the Danida B2B-programme.
The programme supports Danish partnerships in developing countries,
giving local companies access to Danish know-how and technology to
boost economic growth and reduce poverty.
A proud naval nation:
Denmark’s tradition in seafaring goes back a thousand years to the
Viking ancestors and today the country still has a number of shipyards
and modern technology.