Tanzania’s Minister for Transport, Prof. Makame Mbarawa, has directed that the Kurasini Logistics Park in Dar es Salaam be used as an extension of the Port of Dar es Salaam rather than as an Inland Container Depot (ICD), as part of efforts to reduce congestion and improve cargo clearance efficiency.
Prof. Mbarawa made the remarks today during his visit to inspect the progress of construction at the Kurasini Logistics Park in Dar es Salaam, where he assessed preparations for the facility to begin handling cargo from the Port of Dar es Salaam.
He said using the facility as a port extension awill allow containers discharged at the Port of Dar es Salaam to be transferred to Kurasini for scanning, customs clearance and other cargo handling procedures, enabling importers to collect their goods from the new location.
He said one of the immediate priorities is to install scanners at the facility, including mobile scanners, so that cargo transferred from the main port can be scanned at the new location.
“The first issue we agreed on is the availability of scanners. The scanners are available, and small mobile scanners can be brought here so that scanning can be carried out at this location,” Prof. Mbarawa said.
The Minister also directed that the road connecting the Port of Dar es Salaam to Kurasini Logistics Park be designated as a Customs Bonded Road, allowing cargo to move under customs control from the main port to the logistics facility.
He said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), TANROADS, TARURA and other relevant authorities, will work to ensure that the road is properly designated and equipped to facilitate the secure movement of cargo.
The Director of the Port of Dar es Salaam, Abed Gallus Abed, also participated in the visit and provided updates on the facility and preparations for its operation as an extension of the port.
His participation focused on operational requirements for ensuring the smooth transfer of cargo from the Port of Dar es Salaam to the logistics park, as well as coordination among government institutions involved in cargo clearance and handling.
According to Prof. Mbarawa, the arrangement will initially focus on import containers, while plans for handling export containers will be addressed at a later stage.
He said the Government expects Kurasini Logistics Park to begin operating as a port extension by November, with TPA, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and other relevant government institutions stationed at the facility to provide necessary services to importers and other stakeholders.
Prof. Mbarawa stressed that the facility should operate as a port extension rather than an ICD, arguing that the arrangement will allow customs clearance and other cargo-related procedures to be conducted outside the main port, thereby reducing pressure on the Port of Dar es Salaam.
“I want this facility to be fully utilised as a port extension so that citizens can access services quickly, reduce congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam and improve the overall efficiency of our port,” he said.
The Minister said Kurasini Logistics Park has an initial capacity to handle up to 150,000 containers, with the capacity expected to increase to approximately 700,000 containers in the next phase planned for next year.
He said the initiative is part of the Government’s broader efforts to expand the capacity of the Port of Dar es Salaam, improve cargo flow and enhance services for importers, traders and the public.
