New ferry, MV Silverstone, launched on Kariba–Chalala route after Mbuya Nehanda disaster

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development launched the privately owned MV Silverstone Ferry on Lake Kariba on Friday, 18 September 2026, to restore safe, reliable and accessible water transport for communities along the Kariba–Chalala route.

The vessel is owned and operated by Most High Ferries (Pvt) Ltd, following the Government’s call for greater private-sector participation in inland water transport.

The vessel will operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, carrying up to 60 passengers and four crew members at a fare of US$15 per passenger.

The launch was officiated by the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joy Pedzisayi Makumbe, whose speech was delivered on her behalf by the Ministry’s Head of Legal Services, Kingston Magaya.

The MV Silverstone will provide public transport for commuters between Kariba urban and rural communities, improving connectivity along the lakeshore.

The double-deck vessel is built on three pontoons, measuring 21.845 metres in length and 5.9 metres in width, with a displacement of 18 tonnes. It has a carrying capacity of 60 passengers and four crew.

Makumbe said the Government welcomes private-sector involvement in strengthening inland water transport, adding that the vessel had complied with all statutory requirements under the Inland Waters Shipping Act, including vessel survey, registration, crew certification and shipping service permits.

She stressed that safety must remain the number one priority and called on the operator and all inland water transport players to strictly observe safety regulations, maintain seaworthy vessels, ensure adequate safety equipment and never compromise passenger safety.

The Permanent Secretary also revealed that Government is procuring two additional boats to serve communities along the route and strengthen capacity on Lake Kariba.

The launch comes after Kariba communities struggled to travel between rural and urban areas for more than a month following the capsizing of the government-owned Mbuya Nehanda ferry on 11 August.

The capsizing of the Mbuya Nehanda, operated by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), has become the country’s deadliest maritime disaster.

The ferry was ferrying about 180 passengers and goods when it capsized, thus exceeding its carrying capacity.

The vessel’s authorised capacity was about 90 people, although when the wreck was pulled ashore it was marked 50 PAX, suggesting its capacity had been reduced after engine failures in 2024.