Tanga Port expansion pays off
TANZANIA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan said that the expansion of Tanga Port is part of Tanzania’s strategy to increase its capacity to handle larger ships, attract more vessels, and boost the amount of cargo it handles.
She said the upgrades have already led to a more than 100 per cent rise in both ship traffic and revenue at the port.
“This project is already delivering results, with significant growth in operations,” President Samia stated in her official X handle.
President Samia added that the government remains dedicated to enhancing infrastructure across the country to ensure Tanzania fully benefits from its natural resources.
Acting Manager of Tanga Port Donald Gaile said the expansion is divided into two phases.
The first phase, which cost 172.136bn/- included dredging the entrance channel and the berth to accommodate larger vessels.
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Mr Gaile said they are working towards achieving the government’s and the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)’s goal for Tanga marine terminal to become Tanzania’s second-largest port after Dar es Salaam.
“Tanga Port has a long history, being the first built in 1891 during German East Africa, but over time, its performance weakened. Ships used to anchor two kilometres away due to the shallow berth at the two docking areas here,” Mr Gaile said.
He added: “Previously, ships had to offload cargo away from the pier, resulting in additional costs. Now, with the improved infrastructure, ships can dock directly at the pier, significantly reducing cargo handling expenses.”
Moreover, the project is expected to improve the livelihoods of local residents through job creation and increase in revenue for TPA.
The implementation of the second phase of the project involved construction of new 450-metre-long berths at a cost of 256.8bn/-.
He said that ships have calling at Tanga Port in large numbers after the major improvements were made, which now allows ships to offload cargo at the berths, instead of offloading offshore.
“So far, Tanga Port has served approximately 19 large ships from different countries around the world, carrying cargo of over 100,000 tonnes,” said Mr Gaile.
He elaborated further that significant improvements made at the port have convinced large and modern ships that previously used competing ports in neighbouring countries to start bringing their ships to Tanga Port.
Tanga Port is one of the three major ports managed by TPA in the Indian Ocean Corridor.
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The other ports in the corridor are Dar es Salaam Port, which is the main port and Mtwara Port.
TPA has reported an impressive revenue collection of 18bn/- during the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year at Tanga Port, largely attributed to the arrival of 11 ships.
Notably, 44.4 per cent of the revenue came from vessels belonging to Sea Front Shipping Services Company, underscoring their significant contribution to the port’s performance.
During the period under review, Tanga Port handled a total of 333,718 tonnes of cargo, exceeding its target of 283,290 tonnes by 17 per cent.
