Govt to sell long idle ships

Malawi Government is set to dispose of three long-idle vessels as it moves to introduce new ships and modernise infrastructure at Monkey Bay Port in Mangochi District.

The vessels earmarked for disposal are MV Mpasa and MV Nkhwazi, which are currently at Monkey Bay Port, and MV Mcheni, which is based in Nsanje District.

Ministry of Transport spokesperson Chikondi Chimala said the decision follows Government plans to bring in new vessels and transform Monkey Bay Port into a modern marine transport facility.

Chimala said the disposal of the vessels would be conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, ensuring that the process complies with procedures governing the sale of Government assets.

The planned disposal marks a shift in the Government’s approach to its marine fleet, as authorities seek to move away from vessels that have remained inactive for extended periods and invest in newer and more functional assets.

Among the vessels earmarked for disposal is MV Mpasa, one of the oldest ships associated with Malawi’s Lake Malawi transport history. Built in 1934, the vessel began operating on Lake Malawi in 1935.

Its history dates back to a period when water transport played a much more significant role in Malawi’s transport network. At the time, road infrastructure was considerably less developed, making Lake Malawi an important route for transporting people and goods between lakeshore communities.

MV Nkhwazi joined Malawi’s lake fleet in 1956 and, like Mpasa, has been out of service for a considerable period. Its planned disposal is part of the Government’s broader efforts to renew the country’s marine transport fleet.

The third vessel, MV Mcheni, is based in Nsanje District. Its inclusion in the disposal programme comes as Government continues to consider the potential of Malawi’s southern waterways, particularly the Shire River, as part of efforts to diversify the country’s transport corridors and improve access to regional trade routes.

However, Monkey Bay remains at the centre of the Government’s current plans for the development of water transport.

Located at the southern end of Lake Malawi, Monkey Bay has historically served as an important base for lake transport operations, including vessel maintenance and other marine activities.

The planned modernisation of the port is expected to go hand in hand with the introduction of new vessels, with the aim of improving passenger and cargo services on the lake.

The proposed changes also highlight the longstanding challenge of an ageing marine fleet. One of the most prominent examples is MV Ilala, which has served Lake Malawi since 1951.

For generations, Ilala has been an important passenger and cargo vessel, connecting communities along the lake, including Likoma and Chizumulu islands. Its age, however, has increasingly underscored the need for fleet renewal and more reliable marine services.

Government has been pursuing the acquisition of new vessels to improve the capacity and reliability of water transport and, in the longer term, reduce dependence on ageing ships.

The renewal of the fleet is particularly important for communities and businesses located along the shores and islands of Lake Malawi, where reliable water transport provides an essential link to larger population centres and markets.

A modern fleet could improve the transportation of agricultural produce, passengers and other goods while providing an alternative to road transport. Upgraded port facilities could also improve the loading and unloading of cargo, vessel maintenance and the operation of scheduled services.

The Government’s broader objective is to make water transport a more effective component of Malawi’s national transport system, rather than relying overwhelmingly on road infrastructure.

The planned disposal of the three vessels comes alongside efforts to attract investment into marine transport infrastructure. Government has been pursuing partnerships aimed at bringing in new vessels and upgrading facilities at Monkey Bay.

The investments are expected to increase passenger and cargo capacity while providing infrastructure capable of supporting the operation and maintenance of modern vessels.

The approach therefore combines the disposal of marine assets that are no longer economically viable with investment in new vessels and infrastructure designed to support the future of Malawi’s water transport sector.

For Mpasa and Nkhwazi, the proposed sale could bring an end to decades of association with Lake Malawi. Mpasa, in particular, has a remarkable history, having entered service more than nine decades ago.

Their long service histories, however, also underline the need for Malawi to renew its marine assets if water transport is to become a reliable and sustainable component of the national transport network.

The Government will now face the task of ensuring that the disposal process is transparent and fully compliant with public asset regulations, while ensuring that its wider investment programme delivers the intended modernisation of the sector.

If the planned acquisition of new vessels and the modernisation of Monkey Bay Port are successfully implemented, the changes could mark a new chapter for Malawi’s water transport industry.

The disposal of the three idle vessels may therefore represent only one part of a broader transition from an ageing fleet and outdated infrastructure towards a modern marine transport system capable of supporting passengers, cargo and economic activity along Malawi’s waterways.