DMG, MSCL Signs Over 48bn/- Worth Pacts To Repair Ships At Lake Victoria, Tanganyika -

By Staff Writer

The Dar es Salaam Merchant Group (DMG) has entered into contracts with Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL) so as to repair the MV Liemba, formerly Graf Goetzen or Graf von Goetzen, a passenger and cargo ferry that runs along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika as well as repairing MV. Ukerewe, a marine tug boat and renovation of MT Nyangumi, a tanker for carrying petroleum products, both operating in Lake Victoria.

Speaking in Mwanza immediately after signing the three contracts for the repair of the ships, the Dar es Salaam Merchant Group (DMG), MD Rayton Kwembe said that on the project, DMG, a Tanzanian marine contractor will implement the three project in collaboration with Croatia-based M/S Brodosplit JSC at a cost of more than 48 billion shillings.

The MD said that they would spend 32 billion shillings during the repair of the MV. Liemba, 6 billion shillings to renovate MT. Ukerewe as well as 8 billion shillings for renovating MT Nyangumi.

Kwembe said: “DMG is very thankful to the sixth phase government under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for continuing to believe in our company and we promise that we will never let them down in the implementation of these projects.”

He added: “DMG has experience in Ship repair works such as Hull, Machinery repair, modifications/conversions. And our priority is to ensure quality and timely implementation of all projects, we will ensure value for money by completing the projects in time as stipulated on contracts. ”

He went on saying, “We will do our best to ensure that these repair projects are carried out in a timely manner so that these ships can continue to open many opportunities for employment and reduce transportation costs in parallel with increasing productivity in business activities, thus benefiting wananchi.”

The DMG’s Boss went pointed out that their company has long term experience and expertise to participate in projects from the initial stage, in some cases DMG initiates own projects from scratch.

“DMG has in house experts who have experience from the design and project management to meet employer requirements as well as having an extensive network and experience with manufacturers and suppliers of materials for projects and logistics capability to ensure timely availability of materials on site. ,” he said.

He noted: “We also have a strong network of financial institutions who works in collaboration with our company to ensure appropriate finance is available to support our projects.”

On expertise and experience, he said that DMG are in good position on managing all local compliance issues such as taxation, laws and regulations related to project execution.

“On operation and maintenance, DMG utilizes special tools to monitor projects to ensure the project is executed in time, on scope and budget,” he said.

He insisted: “So as to properly implementing marine project, DMG established Marine Division in early 2017 with a motive of conquering Marine Sector in Tanzania. The establishment of this division is a conscious response to the challenges that are facing the Marine Sector in both Shipbuilding and Fisheries ranging from poor infrastructural development, inadequate human resource, poor technology, poor vessels, poor fishing gears, disorganized fish market and low technical knowledge of fisheries projects operation.”

He concluded: “Dar es Salaam Merchant Group aspires to transform the Marine sector by integrating Shipbuilding and Fisheries. We have inhouse experts in both Shipbuilding and fisheries, we work with local and international reputable partners.”

On his part, Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL) CEO Eric Hamissi has said that the Government has decided to invest in the repair of the ships (MV Liemba, MT Ukerewe and MT Nyangumi) due to their durability and to save the cost of building new ships.

“There are people who used to ask me why the government is repairing this ship now, but the cost of making a new ship like this one is more than Sh120 billion also after the experts examined the existing ships that we are repairing, they found that its steel is still are of great quality, that’s why the Government opt on renovating them,” Hamissi said.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Transport, David Kihenzile asked the implementers of repairing the ships to take into account the duration of the contract.