DAR ES SALAAM: IMPORTERS are experiencing a significant boost to their businesses thanks to improved cargo offloading efficiency at the Dar es Salaam port, according to the Tanzania Traders Association (JWT).
The association chairperson Hamisi Livembe, told reporters yesterday that the increased efficiency has enabled traders to receive their goods more quickly, boosting their business operations.
“The time required to offload cargo from vessels has been significantly reduced,” Livembe explained after he and other members of the association visited the port to observe operations firsthand.
“This allows us to receive our goods in fewer days, enabling us to sell our stock and place orders for new shipments within a shorter period.”
Mr Livembe praised the port management and the government for their efforts in upgrading infrastructure and services.
He acknowledged that traders previously faced significant delays in cargo clearance, with vessels often waiting more than 30 days at the entrance channel to dock.
“This situation led to a sharp increase in container prices. For instance, in May last year, the cost of a container rose to 8,000 from 3,000 US dollars, which adversely affected us. However, prices have now stabilised at between 3,000 and 3,500 US dollars,” he said. According to Mr Livembe, the current situation is a vast improvement, as cargo now arrives on time.
“We came here to observe the enhancements and we’ve been informed that an additional crane will be installed, bringing the total to three. We expect this will further boost efficiency,” he added.
Currently, the port’s two cranes can offload 1,000 containers per day. Once the third crane is operational, the 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 we anticipate that with the new crane, it will be reduced to just two days,” he stated.
Port statistics indicate that in the past six months, the volume of containerised cargo handled increased from eight to 12.8 million tonnes.
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Acting Director of the Dar es Salaam Port, Mr Abed Gallus, stated that the association’s visit aimed to witness the reforms at the port firsthand.
“The involvement of the two investors has brought significant changes, including reducing the waiting time for vessels at the entrance channel. Previously, vessels waited for 30 days; now they dock directly at the berth,” he explained.
He added that the time required to offload cargo has decreased from ten days to three, positively impacting trade in the country.
“This prompted the association to visit and express their appreciation,” Mr Gallus elaborated. DP World’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Elitunu Mallamia, noted that the company had made remarkable progress in the past six months, achieving a record in December by offloading 25,251 vehicles from 16 vessels.
However, he highlighted a challenge with customer delays in clearing their cargo from Inland Container Depots (ICDs)
