Tanzania: The SKD assembly of the 1,000 mm gauge H10 locomotives is organised at the workshop of the operator Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) in Dar es Salaam. Machibya Shiwa, TRC’s General Director, commented that it was decided to master skills for domestic rolling stock production in light of disruptions of supply chains caused by the conflict in Ukraine.
Two assembled diesel locomotives and the assembly units and components for the other six vehicles have arrived at the depot from Malaysia. According to Mr Shiwa, part of components, including electrical equipment, rubber parts and fasteners, will be supplied by local manufacturers. The project has already provided employment for 34 people.
SKD assembly of H10 locomotives at Tanzania Railways Corporation depot in Dar es-Salaam. Source: Ahmad Issa Michuzi
In 2021, SMH Rail expressed its intention to build a Tanzania-located facility for the assembly and repair of locomotives, EMUs and freight cars. The manufacturer planned to invest from $40 mln to $100 mln and create 1,000 jobs. A 20-hectare land area in the Kibaha district was purchased for that purpose, but the project failed to be implemented. Meanwhile, SMH Rail specialists repaired over 35 vehicles at TRC’s depot in previous years.
Control desk of a H10 diesel locomotive manufactured by SMH Rail. Source: Ahmad Issa Michuzi
In 2024, the Malaysian manufacturer also claimed to open its plant in South Africa. No news on that project has so far appeared. That same year, SMH Rail entered into a partnership with Indian BEML to cooperate in the rolling stock supply and maintenance for the markets of Africa and Southeast Asia.
SMH Rail focuses on the production of diesel and electric multiple units, metro cars, diesel locomotives, freight wagons, and track machines. In Africa, the company also repaired diesel locomotives for Zambia and Kenya.
