Malawi’s idle ships are finally moving, but not back onto the water. Government is preparing to sell them, days after MV Mtendere sank at Monkey Bay Harbour
The Ministry of Transport and Public Works says the disposal process for MV Mtendere, MV Nkhwazi, MV Mpasa and MV Mcheni is already underway in line with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act and other applicable regulations.
Meanwhile, the ministry says the disposal of the four vessels will follow the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act and other applicable regulations.
Government says the process will follow prescribed procedures and that the public will be informed of significant developments.
“The Government remains committed to ensuring that the disposal of these public assets is conducted in an open, transparent and accountable manner,” the ministry said in its statement issued on Tuesday.
The ministry has also assured the public that measures are being taken to safeguard government assets awaiting disposal, raising the spotlight on what happens next to the country’s long-idle vessels and how their disposal will be handled.
MV Mtendere, which was commissioned in 1980, sank while anchored at Monkey Bay Harbour on September 28, 2026. The vessel had stopped operating on its scheduled routes in 2002 and was later decommissioned.
The ministry says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the sinking in collaboration with the Malawi Police Service and will release further information once the findings have been verified.
The vessel reportedly consumed about 10,000 litres of fuel and 250 litres of lubricating oil on a round trip between Monkey Bay and Chilumba.
