Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) revealed this Thursday that its high-speed freight train will commence operations at the end of May this year, with 264 freight wagons already in the country.
This new development follows the successful completion of trials for these wagons just three days ago, marking a critical step towards the commencement of freight transportation on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The 264 wagons, which arrived in Tanzania in December 2024, underwent a month-long testing phase supervised by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA).
This comprehensive testing included both static and dynamic evaluations to assess the wagons’ durability and performance while in motion.
LATRA conducted thorough inspections on all the wagons, which consist of 200 container carriers and 64 designed for loose cargo.
The authority confirmed that the wagons met the required design speed of 120 kilometers per hour and performed well in critical systems, such as braking and handling curves.
Following these successful trials, Acting Managing Director of TRC, Mr Mateshi Tito, announced the launch of freight services during the 39th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Local Authorities in Tanzania (ALAT).
This meeting, held during the NMB ALAT SGR Royal Tour between Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, underscored the government’s commitment to completing major strategic projects initiated by the previous administration.
Attendees praised the sixth-phase government for its focus on infrastructure development, viewing the launch of the train as a crucial step toward economic liberation for both the country and its citizens.
The introduction of these 264 freight wagons signals a significant resource allocation aimed at bolstering economic growth.
Rail transport offers a safe and efficient method for moving goods, which can dramatically reduce transportation costs.
This is expected to benefit local and international businesses alike by facilitating access to new markets and enhancing competition within the commercial sector.
Such efficiency is likely to have a ripple effect on the national economy, fostering job creation and strengthening small and medium enterprises.
Mr Tito also highlighted that since the launch of the passenger high-speed train (SGR) in July of the previous year, nearly two million passengers have already utilized the service by the beginning of this month.
This indicates a substantial demand for rail transport services within the country.
The initiation of freight services is anticipated to deliver even greater benefits, aiming to increase the speed of goods transport while alleviating road congestion.
Moreover, these advancements in the transport sector could positively impact the environment.
Trains, capable of carrying larger volumes of goods with lower fuel consumption, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to environmental conservation efforts.
