Tanzania to launch SGR cargo services between Dar and Dodoma after successful trials
The Tanzanian Railways Corporation (TRC), which will oversee the operations, declared its readiness to begin commercial freight services.
Tanzania is poised to launch cargo operations on its standard gauge railway (SGR) between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, following the successful completion of trial runs and the green light from transport regulators.
The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), which will oversee the operations, declared its readiness to begin commercial freight services.
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The announcement follows two test runs, conducted on June 1 and 2, between Dar es Salaam and the Ihumwa area in Dodoma, which were completed and certified by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA).
"This was the second trial, following the initial run on 1 June from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. We are now prepared to start operations after receiving Latra's approval," said TRC Passenger and Freight Wagon Maintenance Manager, Enock Mgonja, after the second trial, according to The Citizen.
Central logistics hub
According to TRC Senior Transport Officer, Masha Twaha, cargo will be loaded and offloaded at major stations along the SGR line, including Pugu, Morogoro and Ihumwa, while Dar es Salaam Port will anchor operations as the central logistics hub.
Tanzania will deploy Chinese-built freight wagons, part of a 1,430-unit shipment from Beijing aimed at modernising its transport system and enhancing cross-border trade, to move cargo on the SGR.
Replacing the old metre-gauge tracks, the SGR represents one of Tanzania's most transformative infrastructure projects, with the Dar–Dodoma route forming the backbone of a future network expected to stretch to Mwanza and eventually connect with regional neighbours.
Although the Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA) initially expressed reservations about the launch of SGR cargo operations, the union has since embraced the development, describing it as a transformative move that will complement the country's available transport infrastructure.
"A substantial amount of cargo arriving at Dar es Salaam Port is destined for neighbouring countries. Trucks will take over where the train stops, transporting goods to their final destinations," TATOA Chair Elias Lukumay said in a past interview.
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