Zambia Advances Mpulungu Port Upgrade, Annual Throughput Capacity to Reach 800,000 Tons

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The upgrade of Mpulungu Port on the shores of Lake Tanganyika is currently being advanced by Zambia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics, alongside plans to construct a railway link to connect with the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) network, thereby opening up freight corridors to Central and East African markets.

The entire project comprises two main components: the upgrade of the port facilities themselves and the construction of a railway link connecting Nseluka to Mpulungu. This railway will directly link Zambia's existing rail network with water transport services on Lake Tanganyika.

According to Zambia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the link will significantly enhance the efficiency of water-rail intermodal transport. Upon completion of the port upgrade, the annual cargo handling capacity is expected to increase from the current 200,000 tons to approximately 800,000 tons, with passenger handling capacity also expanding accordingly.

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, Mpulungu Port is Zambia's only international waterway port, providing direct lake transport access to Burundi, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania, forming a core corridor for Zambia's trade with the African Great Lakes region.

This project is a key component of Zambia's long-term strategy to modernize transport infrastructure and strengthen regional trade and economic integration.