The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is stepping up implementation of major projects at the Port of Dar es Salaam in a push to cut vessel waiting time, ease congestion and reduce costs that ultimately affect businesses and consumers.
A key project is the construction of a modern tank farm with 15 storage tanks, which TPA says could reduce the time ships spend at the port from about 21 days to roughly seven days.
TPA Director of Engineering Services Eric Madinda said the shorter turnaround time would help reduce demurrage charges, which can reach about $25,000 (around Sh65 million) a day.
Speaking during a visit by student leaders from various higher learning institutions, Mr Madinda said vessels would be served at the berth for 24 hours, with the remaining time spent at anchorage.
“Reducing the time ships spend at the port will help lower costs associated with delays,” he said, adding that savings along the supply chain could eventually benefit consumers through lower prices of goods.
TPA is also preparing the second phase of the tank farm project, which will increase storage capacity and improve the handling of petroleum products.
The authority is further planning a new berth at Kendo capable of handling up to four vessels at the same time, with capacities ranging between 150,000 and 200,000 tonnes.
Other planned projects include relocating the Kurasini Oil Jetty (KOJ) and constructing berths 12 to 15 to further expand the port's capacity.
The authority is also working with stakeholders to increase the use of rail in cargo transportation through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Meter Gauge Railway (MGR).
According to TPA, plans are also in place to develop toll roads linking the port with Kibaha and Morogoro, a move expected to reduce the number of trucks on existing roads and improve the movement of cargo.
The improvements come as Tanzania seeks to strengthen Dar es Salaam's role as a major gateway for domestic and transit cargo serving neighbouring countries.
For importers and exporters, faster cargo clearance and movement can help reduce logistics costs, improve delivery times and make Tanzanian businesses more competitive.
President of the Ardhi University Students' Government (ARISU), Osward Beatus Maganya, commended the Government and the Ministry of Transport for investments made at the port.
He said expansion of berth lengths from about 120 metres to more than 500 metres, alongside increasing the port's depth to 15 metres, had improved its ability to accommodate larger vessels.
Mr Maganya also said linking the port with the SGR and MGR would help reduce reliance on trucks and improve the efficiency of cargo transportation.
Meanwhile, Dar es Salaam University Students' Organisation (DARUSO) Vice-President Kasti Karen Mary said the visit had given students an opportunity to understand the role of the port in the country's economy.
She urged young Tanzanians to take advantage of opportunities emerging from major infrastructure projects, particularly in employment, business, innovation and investment.
The ongoing port investments are expected to improve Tanzania's logistics infrastructure, strengthen trade links with the region and reduce some of the costs associated with moving goods through the country's main maritime gateway.