Dar es Salaam. In a bustling corner of Tanzania, importers are experiencing a remarkable resurgence in their businesses, thanks to significant improvements in cargo offloading efficiency at the Dar es Salaam port.
This transformation has been highlighted by the Tanzania Traders Association, with chairperson Hamisi Livembe taking the lead in sharing the good news.
During their visit to the port on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Mr Livembe and other association members witnessed firsthand the enhancements in operations.
“The time required to offload cargo from vessels has been significantly reduced,” he explained, brimming with optimism.
This newfound efficiency has allowed traders to receive their goods much faster, enabling smoother business operations.
Currently, the Dar port handles approximately 2 million tonnes of cargo each month, translating to about 24 million tonnes annually.
This marks a significant improvement from the previous handling capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per month.
This improvement is particularly significant when considering that, in the past, traders faced frustrating delays, with vessels often languishing at the port entrance for over 30 days, a situation that caused container prices to skyrocket.
Mr Livembe recounted, “In May last year, the cost of a container rose to $8,000 from just $3,000 dollars.
This sharp increase severely impacted our bottom line.”
Today, however, the tide has turned.
Prices have stabilized, hovering between $3,000 and $3,500 US, a relief for many.
“Cargo now arrives on time, which allows us to sell our stock and place orders for new shipments more quickly,” Mr Livembe noted, emphasizing the positive shift in the trading landscape.
Mr Livembe was particularly impressed with the port management’s efforts and the government’s commitment to upgrading infrastructure and services.
During their visit, he learned that an additional crane would soon be installed, bringing the total to three.
This development promises to further enhance operational efficiency at the port.
Currently, the port’s two cranes can offload an impressive 1,000 containers per day.
Once the new crane is operational, that capacity will increase to 1,500 containers daily.
“Previously, a vessel with 3,000 containers would take up to 10 days to offload. Now, the process takes only three days, and with the new crane, we anticipate it will be reduced to just two days,” Mr Livembe shared, highlighting the dramatic improvements.
Recent port statistics back this optimism, indicating that the volume of containerized cargo handled has surged from 8 million to 12.8 million tonnes in just six months.
Mr Abed Gallus, the acting director of the Dar es Salaam Port, welcomed the association’s visit, explaining that their purpose was to witness the reforms firsthand.
“The involvement of our two investors has brought significant changes, including a reduction in the waiting time for vessels at the entrance channel,” Mr Gallus reported.
Expounding: “Previously, vessels waited for 30 days; now they dock directly at the berth.”
With excitement in his voice, Mr Gallus added, “The time required to offload cargo has decreased from ten days to three, which is positively impacting trade in the country.”
The transformation at the port has not only streamlined operations but has also bolstered confidence among traders, prompting their visit to express gratitude.
Elitunu Mallamia, the corporate affairs manager at DP World, echoed Mr Gallus’s sentiments, noting that remarkable progress has been made in the past six months.
December marked a record month for the port, with 25,251 vehicles successfully offloaded from 16 vessels.
However, challenges still remain, particularly with customer delays in clearing cargo from Inland Container Depots (ICDs).
Addressing this issue will be crucial for sustaining the momentum of growth and ensuring that importers can fully capitalize on the improved efficiency at the port.
With enhanced cargo offloading efficiency, traders can look forward to a brighter future, where timely deliveries and stable costs create a thriving business environment.
This transformation is not just a victory for the port but a significant step forward for the Tanzanian economy as a whole.
