TPA system records strong cargo growth

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S port system recorded strong growth in cargo activity during the latest reporting period, with Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) traffic, DP World container volumes and dry bulk cargo leading the increase, signalling a new phase in the country’s development as a regional trade gateway.

The figures point to stronger movement across cargo categories linked to vehicles, goods, equipment, industrial inputs and bulk commodities. They also highlight the growing importance of efficient logistics systems needed to move cargo from ports to domestic and regional markets. RoRo traffic recorded the highest growth.

The number of units handled increased from 16,177 in May 2025 to 30,442 in May 2026, representing an 88 per cent increase and an additional 14,265 units within a year. RoRo vessel calls also rose from 13 to 20 over the same period. In May 2024, the port handled 14,645 RoRo units through nine vessel calls.

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The increase reflects rising movement of vehicles and wheeled cargo through the port system, with growth evident in both cargo volumes and vessel activity. Container traffic handled by DP World also posted strong gains. Volumes increased from 27,953 TEUs in May 2025 to 44,001 TEUs in May 2026, a rise of 57 per cent.

This represents an additional 16,048 TEUs handled compared with the corresponding period last year. Volumes have more than tripled from 13,779 TEUs recorded in May 2024. DP World container vessel calls also increased from 13 in May 2025 to 20 in May 2026, compared with seven calls during the same period in 2024.

The Director General of the Tanzania Ports Authority, Mr Plasduce Mbossa, said the increase in cargo volumes reinforces the port system’s strategic role in supporting national trade and regional connectivity.

“The rise in port activity strengthens Tanzania’s role as a trade gateway and supports national efforts to improve logistics, transport services and cargo movement. The priority remains to keep improving efficiency as volumes continue to grow,” he said.

The growth in container traffic extends beyond terminal operations. Higher container volumes require more documentation processing, cargo clearance, truck scheduling, storage arrangements and delivery coordination. As a result, inland distribution networks, warehousing facilities and cargo evacuation systems play an increasingly important role in sustaining performance.

Dry bulk cargo also recorded significant growth, rising from 210,488 metric tonnes in May 2025 to 267,560 metric tonnes in May 2026, an increase of 27 per cent. This represents an additional 57,072 metric tonnes of cargo handled during the period. Compared with the 86,318 metric tonnes recorded in May 2024, the latest volume is higher by 181,242 metric tonnes.

Dry bulk vessel calls increased from three in May 2024 to six in May 2025 and eight in May 2026, reflecting growing activity in a segment that depends heavily on handling capacity, storage infrastructure and efficient onward transport. General cargo volumes reached 204,978 metric tonnes in May 2026, compared with 210,079 metric tonnes in May 2025, representing a marginal decline of about 2 per cent.

Despite the decrease, the latest figure remains substantially higher than the 113,699 metric tonnes recorded in May 2024. General cargo vessel calls stood at 13 in May 2026, compared with 12 in May 2024. Container traffic at TEAGTL remained stable.

The terminal handled 85,243 TEUs in May 2026, compared with 84,127 TEUs in May 2025, representing 1 per cent increase. In May 2024, TEAGTL handled 65,194 TEUs. The strongest growth was recorded in RoRo traffic, DP World container volumes and dry bulk cargo, with all three categories also registering higher vessel calls.

RoRo traffic is closely linked to vehicle imports and wheeled cargo, container traffic supports the movement of goods, equipment and commercial cargo, while dry bulk operations facilitate the handling of large-volume commodities.