Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has announced the successful arrival of 264 cargo wagons manufactured by China’s CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. This delivery is part of a larger order of 1,430 wagons intended for use on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) electric trains, marking a significant step forward in enhancing Tanzania’s rail transport capacity.
According to a statement from TRC, the 264 wagons arrived at the port of Dar es Salaam on Tuesday. Of these, 200 will be designated for ferrying containers, while the remaining 64 will be used for loose cargo. Following the offloading of these wagons, TRC plans to conduct trial runs between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania. These trials will first take place without cargo before progressing to include cargo transportation.
TRC Director General Masanja Kadogosa emphasized that the entire SGR project aims to cover a distance of 1,596 kilometers, connecting Dar es Salaam with the Mwanza region. Once fully operational, this modern rail link is expected to significantly reduce travel times and bolster economic development across Tanzania and its neighboring regions.
The SGR project represents a substantial investment in Tanzania’s infrastructure, with the overall cost estimated at $10 billion. The electrified medium-speed line is designed to enhance connectivity not only within Tanzania but also with neighboring countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda. As part of its commitment to improving rail services, TRC has also ordered additional wagons for transporting various goods, including petroleum and general cargo.