673 kilometres long. 1,470 metres deep.

Lake Tanganyika is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world. It borders four countries and, for the communities around it, the lake is also a road — connecting people, places and goods.

One of the vessels that has travelled that road for generations is MV Liemba.

She was built in Germany in 1913 as Graf von Götzen, transported to East Africa in around 5,000 crates, reassembled in Kigoma and launched in 1915. Few vessels have a history quite like hers. She served as a German military vessel during World War I, was deliberately sunk in 1916, raised and rebuilt several years later, and returned to service in 1927 under the name MV Liemba.

More than a century after she was built, she is still in service. And that is where Teknoxgroup Marine comes into the story. The task was to remotorizе Liemba with new Caterpillar engines and prepare her for many more years on Lake Tanganyika.

The project was carefully planned in advance. Engines, parts, electrical documentation and other equipment were shipped to Tanzania ahead of the first visit, while preparations for the installation were carried out in stages before the team arrived. Once on site, the team assessed the situation and adjusted the next steps accordingly. Working closely with the local crew, they coordinated the remaining work, adapted the installation process where needed and brought the different elements together. Eventually, the new Caterpillar engines were started. Once the new engines were running, the team returned home. The final stage of the project was still ahead: completing the remaining work and carrying out the sea trial.

When the team returned for the final stage, the focus shifted to getting the entire vessel ready for her sea trial. With a government delegation due to arrive in just two days, there was no time to waste. The team got to work alongside the local crew. And two days later, MV Liemba sailed. There is a Tanzanian saying that sums up the final test rather well: “The boat is ready when she is white and the siren works.” Liemba was ready. The siren worked. And, of course, so did the new Caterpillar engines.

After more than 100 years, the journey continues.