TRC commences containerised freight operations with SGR carriers

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has officially inaugurated containerised freight services on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network.

This strategic development aims to broaden the scope of domestic trade and alleviate persistent cargo congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam.

During the launch of the maiden container journey from Pugu to Ihumwa, TRC’s Acting Director of Transport, Focus Makoye Sahani, confirmed the train covers a distance of approximately 420 kilometres.

This milestone follows the successful introduction of transportation of bulk goods, such as cement, which began in July 2025. 

The addition of container carriers represents a vital expansion of the SGR's commercial capabilities.

The inaugural freight train consists of 50 wagons carrying a total of 100 containers.

The prominent logistics firm GSM has been identified as the primary client for this initial service.

Currently, container loading operations are based in Pugu.

However, TRC is actively upgrading infrastructure at Malindi Yard near Gerezani to further strengthen loading capacity and operational throughput.

To support this expansion, TRC is implementing a strategy to establish Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Morogoro and Ihumwa in Dodoma.

These hubs are designed to function as primary distribution points for the interior.

The Morogoro ICD, situated 193 kilometres from Dar es Salaam, will serve customers heading towards Mbeya and Iringa.

Meanwhile, the Ihumwa ICD in Dodoma offers extensive space and modern infrastructure to manage high-volume container traffic efficiently.

This shift to rail transport is expected to reduce the heavy reliance on road haulage between the coast and the capital.

Mr Sahani urged the Tanzanian business community to transition to the SGR for their logistics needs.

He emphasised that the railway offers a more cost-effective and reliable alternative to traditional trucking, ultimately supporting national economic growth through improved supply chain stability.