Construction of Pump Station 3 (PS3), a critical facility in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, has reached 88 percent completion, with the facility expected to be ready by the end of August or early September.
The progress marks another step towards completing Tanzania’s section of the 1,443-kilometre pipeline, which will transport crude oil from Uganda’s oilfields to the Indian Ocean coast at Chongoleani in Tanga.
Speaking during an inspection of the facility on August 7, 2026, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) Director of Planning and Investment, Mr Derick Moshi, said the major construction works at PS3 had been completed.
He said the remaining activities mainly involved finishing works and testing of the station’s systems before commissioning.
PS3 is the third pumping station along the EACOP route from Uganda and the first to be located in Tanzania. Its role is to maintain the pressure required to move crude oil safely and efficiently along the pipeline.
“The major construction works have been completed, and what remains are finishing works and system testing,” Mr Moshi said.
Beyond its role in the pipeline, Mr Moshi said the project was providing Tanzanian professionals with an opportunity to gain practical experience in implementing large-scale energy infrastructure.
He described EACOP as a “learning platform” where cooperation between the Government and private-sector partners was facilitating knowledge transfer, skills development and the strengthening of local technical capacity.
The development comes as Tanzania seeks to expand its role as a regional energy and infrastructure hub, leveraging its strategic location and transport links to support cross-border trade and investment.
Mr Moshi said PS3 was consistent with the ambitions of the National Development Vision 2050, particularly the push to increase private-sector participation in economic development and expand modern infrastructure.
Once operational, the station will form part of the infrastructure supporting the transportation of Ugandan crude through Tanzania, potentially strengthening the country’s position in regional energy logistics.
The EACOP project is expected to create wider economic opportunities through demand for goods and services, employment, technical skills and supporting infrastructure along its route.
Mr Moshi said completing PS3 would contribute to ensuring that crude oil is transported safely and efficiently, while supporting economic activity and reinforcing Tanzania’s position in East Africa’s energy infrastructure network.
Meanwhile, PS3 contractor team leader Dmitry Malyshev said the inspection by officials from the Ministry of Energy and TPDC was useful in ensuring that outstanding works were completed according to the required technical and safety standards.
He said the technical feedback received during the visit would help the contractor address remaining activities and maintain the required quality as the project moves towards completion.
With PS3 now at 88 percent completion, attention is shifting to final testing and commissioning as Tanzania moves closer to fully operationalising its side of the regional crude oil transportation infrastructure.
