Kariba ferry operator faces delay after vessel fails safety checks

A private operator hoping to restore ferry services between Kariba and Chalala will have to address a number of safety and structural concerns before receiving permission to begin operations.

The operator applied last week for a licence to run the route formerly served by the RIDA Mbuya Nehanda, prompting an inspection by the Department of Inland Waters. However, the vessel did not meet all the required standards during the assessment.

In an interview with The Herald, Inland Waters director Captain Lameck Chitenga confirmed that the inspection had identified several issues requiring attention.

“Several safety-related and structural issues were identified and these must be addressed before the vessel can operate,” Chitenga said.

He added that authorities would conduct a follow-up inspection after the operator had made the necessary corrections. If the vessel satisfies the outstanding regulatory requirements, the operator could then be issued with a temporary permit.

The operator has also submitted registration documents to the Government for consideration, according to Chitenga.

The development comes at a time when communities around Lake Kariba remain without a regular ferry service following the 11 August 2026 disaster involving the Mbuya Nehanda. The vessel capsized while carrying passengers and goods, claiming 97 lives.

The accident occurred after the ferry was hit by powerful waves, locally associated with the phenomenon known as the “Kariba wave”.

The absence of a ferry has disrupted the movement of people and goods between communities that depend on water transport. While the proposed service could help ease those challenges, authorities are insisting that the replacement vessel meet all safety requirements before it is allowed to carry passengers.

The operator’s application will therefore remain subject to further inspections, registration approval and compliance with the country’s inland-water transport regulations.