THE new Kasanga port which nears completion would be a game changer for the economies of the regions
and countries surrounding the port facility as it will attract domestic and foreign investments thus opening up jobs and trade opportunities in the areas.
The strategic terminal port project in Lake Tanganyika, implemented by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has reached 97 per cent upon its completion.
The TPA Acting Manager in charge of all ports on Lake Tanganyika, Edward Mabula said the project will be completed by October this year.
The terminal was first constructed between 1995 and 1998 and serves cargo destined for the Democratic Republic of Lake (DRC), Zambia and Burundi.
Equally, Tanzania is poised to reap huge profits following the completion of a strategic 107 kilometres road stretching from Sumbawanga municipality via Matai to Kasanga port terminal.
According to Mr Mabula cargo ships plying between Kasanga port and other neighbouring DR – Congo, Zambia and Burundi come 2023- 2024.
Detailing Mr Mabula explained that during 2021/2022 the terminal had handled 29,066 tonnes of cement out of which 24,368 tones were ferried to DR Congo and 4,698 toned to Zambia.
Likewise, 34 cargo ships docked at Kasanga port during 2021/23.
“The vessels routes increased from 34 to 65 between March 2021 and February this year prompted by the soaring number of exporters and traders. Traders are increasingly tapping into available trade opportunities in the countries surrounding Lake Tanganyika,” he noted.
He further explained that the completion of 107 kilometres of strategic road stretching from Sumbawanga municipality to Kasanga port has boosted cargo flow between Tanzania and neighbouring DR Congo, Zambia and Burundi.
“The demand for vessels to ferry cargo to various destinations remained high as more traders are expressing interest to use the strategically located Kasanga port” he noted.
Cement is the main commodity shipped via Kasanga port to DR Congo, Mr Mabula revealed that Mbeya Cement, the port’s permanent customer export 3,500 tonnes every month. In efforts to enhance the port efficiency, TPA embarked on a 4.76bn/- expansion project on April 29, 2021, and it is scheduled for completion in October this year.
The project involved lengthening the port’s berth from 20 to 120 meters and the width from 11 to 14 meters to enable more than one ship to dock at once.
Another improvement of the project was the construction of a passenger lounge, warehouse and residential houses for TPA staff.
“The terminal also has open cargoes storage area (wharf) reinforced to keep loose and containerized cargoes after offloading them from the ships” he added This paper witnessed Congolese vessels MV Tennessee and MV Wimbi docked at the terminal at a time.
Deputy Minister for Works and Transportation Engineer Fred Mwakibete who recently visited and inspected the terminal says the government has continuously demonstrated a huge commitment to improving the maritime sector in the country by realising funds for the upgrading of existing ports or building new terminals.
The expansion of Kasanga port and completion of Karema port in the Katavi region will see Tanzania boost cross-trade with neighbouring DR Congo, Burundi and Zambia The completion of strategic zonal Karema Port and expansion of Kasanga port, whose constructions go hand in hand with the construction of Kalemie Port in DR
Congo, will specifically and significantly help Tanzania expands her wing in the lucrative DRC market.
“The government decided to expand the strategic Kasanga Port links with strategic 107 km road to exploit the untapped great potential of s cross – border trade with DRC, a new entrant in the East African Community (EAC) bloc We want to serve DRC via modern ports which will subsequently meet the demands of our customers in Congo” stressed the deputy minister.
The captain of MV Tennessee, Ezekiel Jonas m a cargo ship loading cement cargo destined for DRC appreciated the expansion of Kasanga Port’s berth saying the harbour would now have ample space to allow more than one ship to rock at once.
“The berth now allows more than one ship at a time due to its ample space after being expanded,” he appreciated.
