{"id":83097,"date":"2024-08-29T13:38:17","date_gmt":"2024-08-29T13:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/rubavu-port-opens-for-pilot-phase"},"modified":"2024-08-29T14:04:02","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T14:04:02","slug":"rubavu-port-opens-for-pilot-phase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/economy\/rubavu-port-opens-for-pilot-phase","title":{"rendered":"Rubavu Port opens for pilot phase"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Rubavu port has been opened for the pilot phase of operations, beginning with the cargo terminal.<\/p>\n

The pilot phase, which began on June 1, 2024, has been \u201cprogressing well,\u201d according to officials from Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA).<\/p>\n

The agency is currently in the process of finding a private operator to manage the port.<\/p>\n

Located in Nyamyumba Sector, Rubavu District, the facility was completed in December 2023. Currently, RTDA, in collaboration with the Rwanda National Police-Marine Unit, is overseeing operations during the test phase.<\/p>\n

Official data from RTDA indicate that the project cost of Rubavu Port amounts to $7.8 million (more than Rwf10 billion).<\/p>\n

The Rubavu port lies at 2 ha, in Rubavu District, Nyamyumba Sector at the shores of Lake Kivu. Photos by Germain Nsanzimana<\/p>\n

The Rubavu Port is poised to enhance tourism and cross-border trade between Rwanda and the DR Congo.<\/p>\n

Cargo handling of loading, offloading, and docking are some of the services being delivered at the port, marking a significant milestone in the transportation sector.<\/p>\n

The opening of Rubavu Port is expected to significantly boost business and navigation on Lake Kivu.<\/p>\n

Local traders have already begun to benefit from the improved facilities, allowing for comfortable transportation of goods to Bukavu and Goma cities in DR Congo.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have seen significant changes from the old port,\u201d said Jean Dusengimana, 56, a resident of Nyamasheke District.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe load cargo very comfortably; boat docking is now easier. Before the new port, we could not sleep out of fear that our goods would be stolen.<\/p>\n

Rubavu port has a two-level building that includes main offices, security check and restaurant, is one of different facilities<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the new port is safer and it\u2019s modern. It is my first time to witness a modern port like this,\u201d said Dusengimana, who thanked the country\u2019s leadership for building critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n

With a capacity to accommodate 1.4 million passengers annually, the port features two cargo vessels, each capable of carrying 500 deadweight tonnage (DWT) and measuring 60 meters in length. The port covers a surface of two hectares.<\/p>\n

ALSO: Rwanda to start offering boat-building courses<\/p>\n

It is one of four ports which were planned to be built at Lake Kivu under the National Strategic Transformation (NST1), a seven-year government plan which ended in June.<\/p>\n

The other three ports are Rusizi, under construction, Karongi, and Nkora, which is planned for construction.<\/p>\n

Once complete, the ports are expected to ease the transport of goods between Rwanda and DR Congo through Lake Kivu.<\/p>\n

Loading and offloading are some of the services being delivered at the port<\/p>\n

At the newly constructed Rubavu Port Fire extinguishers have been set up<\/p>\n

A view of the new Rubavu port on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rubavu District<\/p>\n

A newly constructed gas station that is one of the key facilities of Cargo terminal<\/p>\n\r\n