Tanzania will continue investing in marine transport infrastructure and safety systems as the government seeks to improve efficiency, competitiveness and the sector’s contribution to economic development, Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile has said.
Mr Kihenzile said the government would prioritise improvements to ports, vessel safety, cargo and passenger services and the use of technology across the maritime transport sector.
He was speaking in Tanga yesterday, September 24, 2026, when he officially closed the 2026 World Maritime Day celebrations held under the theme: “From Policy to Implementation: Enhancing Quality in the Maritime Sector.”
“Tanzania has a strategic position in maritime transport because of its Indian Ocean coastline and the Great Lakes,” Mr Kihenzile said, noting that the country’s ports serve as gateways for trade for Tanzania and neighbouring landlocked countries.
He said improving maritime transport was important not only for safety but also for facilitating trade and supporting wider economic activity.
Mr Kihenzile also directed owners and operators of vessels to ensure their boats and ships meet safety standards, undergo regular inspections and have valid licences and adequate life-saving equipment.
He further urged the Ministry of Transport, the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) and the Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA) to strengthen preparedness for the impact of heavy rains expected during the 2026 Vuli season.
The call comes as authorities seek to translate policies and regulations into practical measures that can improve safety and service quality across the sector.
Chairman of the TASAC Board of Directors, Captain Mussa Mandia, urged maritime stakeholders to move beyond policies, laws, standards and international conventions by ensuring they are effectively implemented.
He said practical implementation was necessary to improve safety, efficiency and the quality of maritime services.
TASAC Director General Mohamed Salum said Tanzania had taken several measures to strengthen the sector, including upgrading ports, expanding seafarer training and improving digital systems.
He said TASAC had issued 15,948 seafarer certificates by March 2026, up from 10,270 in 2024/25, representing a 55.29 percent increase.
Mr Salum said Tanzania had also completed the Regional Search and Rescue Centre in Mwanza and was proceeding with the procurement of search-and-rescue boats.
TASAC was also preparing to procure specialised vessels to respond to oil pollution incidents at sea, he said.
On preparedness for El Niño-related weather risks, Mr Salum said TASAC was conducting public awareness campaigns that had reached more than eight regions, six ports and three ferry routes, as well as 16 landing sites and ferry crossings.
The initiatives are part of wider efforts to strengthen maritime safety and ensure the sector can respond more effectively to weather-related emergencies while supporting the movement of people and goods.
The government’s renewed focus on water transport comes as Tanzania seeks to maximise the economic potential of its coastline, ports and inland waterways while improving safety standards for passengers, cargo operators and maritime workers.