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The Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) has issued a stern warning to operators of barges and small vessels operating between Tanga, Zanzibar and Pemba, urging them to strictly comply with maritime safety regulations by avoiding overloading of passengers and cargo amid the current unsafe sea conditions.
The warning was issued on December 23, 2025, by TASAC Tanga Regional Officer-in-Charge and Senior Marine Inspector, Captain Christopher Shalua, during a special safety seminar held for barge captains operating along the Tanga coastal corridor.
Speaking at the seminar, Captain Shalua said the sea is currently experiencing strong and unstable winds, a situation that significantly increases the risk of marine accidents if vessel operators fail to observe established safety procedures.
He stressed that strict adherence to safety rules is critical to protecting lives and property at sea.
He emphasized that operators of small vessels and medium-sized ships must ensure that cargo is loaded strictly within the limits permitted by their registration and safety certificates issued by the relevant authorities.
According to him, every marine vessel is assigned a specific maximum cargo capacity and passenger limit, and exceeding those limits is strictly prohibited under any circumstances.
Captain Shalua further urged passenger vessel operators to ensure they carry only the legally approved number of passengers as indicated in their certificates, warning that any deviation from this requirement puts passengers’ lives at serious risk.
TASAC noted that overloading vessels with passengers or cargo constitutes a violation of maritime laws and is a major cause of preventable marine accidents.
The authority reiterated that many sea accidents can be avoided if operators fully comply with safety regulations.
Captain Shalua said TASAC will continue conducting regular patrols and inspections at sea to ensure all vessels comply with maritime transport laws, rules and procedures.
He added that during this period, enforcement will be intensified, and vessels that are not legally authorized to carry passengers must not do so under any circumstances.
He warned that any operator found violating the directives will face legal action, including fines and other penalties as provided for under maritime transport laws.
The seminar forms part of TASAC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime safety awareness and enforcement, particularly during periods of rough sea conditions, to ensure safe and reliable marine transport along Tanzania’s coastal waters.