DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 18 -- THE horn of MV Liemba echoed across Lake Tanganyika again over the weekend for the first time in more than eight years, as Minister for Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa led the first phase of technical trials of the newly rehabilitated vessel.

The moment marked the beginning of what the government is calling “50 years of new voyages” for the 111-year-old ship that has for generations connected Tanzanian communities to each other and to their neighbours in Burundi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 34bn/- rehabilitation, fully funded by the government, has transformed the historic vessel while preserving its heritage. With testing now underway, officials say MV Liemba will resume commerci...