Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Minister for Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, has directed that the Kurasini Logistics Park be operated as an extension of the Port of Dar es Salaam rather than as an Inland Container Depot (ICD), in a move aimed at easing congestion and improving cargo clearance efficiency.
Prof Mbarawa issued the directive on Friday during a visit to inspect construction progress at the logistics park and assess preparations for the facility to begin handling cargo from the Port of Dar es Salaam.
Under the arrangement, containers discharged at the port will be transferred to Kurasini, where scanning, customs clearance and other cargo-handling procedures will be conducted, allowing importers to collect their goods from the facility.
The Minister said installation of scanners is among the immediate priorities, noting that both fixed and mobile scanning equipment would be used to facilitate cargo clearance at the facility.
“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.
He also directed that the road linking the Port of Dar es Salaam and Kurasini Logistics Park be designated as a Customs Bonded Road to enable the secure movement of cargo under customs control.
He said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), TANROADS, TARURA and other relevant institutions, would ensure that the road is properly designated and equipped to support the movement of cargo between the two facilities.
The Director of the Port of Dar es Salaam, Abed Abed, participated in the visit and briefed the Minister on the facility’s operational preparations, including measures required to ensure smooth coordination between the port, Kurasini and government institutions responsible for cargo clearance and handling.
Prof Mbarawa said the arrangement would initially focus on import containers, while the handling of export containers would be considered at a later stage.
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 expected to establish operations at the facility.
Prof Mbarawa said the decision to operate Kurasini as a port extension is intended to shift some cargo clearance activities away from the main port, thereby reducing congestion and enabling importers to access services more efficiently.
“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 the logistics park would initially have the capacity to handle up to 150,000 containers, with the capacity expected to increase to about 700,000 containers in the next phase planned for next year.
He said the initiative forms 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.
