Tanzania is gearing up to receive 8 electric locomotives and 2 electric multiple units (EMUs) as part of a 17-unit order, with 9 already delivered. These cutting-edge locomotives are manufactured by South Korea’s Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology (SSRST), while the EMUs are produced by Hyundai Rotem Company (HRC).
Dar es-Salaam-Morogoro Line Nears Commercial Launch
The arrival of these new trains coincides with Tanzania’s preparations to launch commercial operations on the Dar es-Salaam-Morogoro line in July 2024. This 300 km section, which will eventually extend to the Rwandan border, is the first of five sections of the Tanzanian Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network under development since 2017. Technical trials on this section have been underway since December 2023.
Progress on Remaining SGR Sections
Work on the remaining sections of the SGR network is progressing steadily. The Morogoro-Makutupora section is 96.73% complete, while the Makutupora-Tabora, Tabora-Isaka, and Isaka-Mwanza sections are at 14.34%, 5.8%, and 57.08% completion, respectively, according to the railway authority.
Modernizing Tanzania’s Railway Infrastructure
The overall project involves constructing 1,219 km of modern railway to replace the meter-gauge tracks built during the colonial era. A subsequent phase of this ambitious plan aims to expand the SGR network to approximately 2,561 km, connecting Rwanda and other landlocked neighboring countries such as Zambia, the DRC, Burundi, and Uganda, which are major clients of the port of Dar es Salaam.