Kwala Dry Port operations pick momentum

DAR ES SALAAM: AS the Kwala Dry Port becomes operational, it is expected to significantly reduce congestion in Dar es Salaam, thanks to the significant government investment, including construction of ring road.

Located in the Coast Region, the operationalisation of the Kwala Dry Port holds substantial importance for the economy as it is a key component of the country’s expanding logistics infrastructure.

The Kwala Dry Port is designed to complement the main seaport of Dar es Salaam, by providing additional capacity for handling goods and easing congestion at the primary port.

This was said yesterday by the Chief Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Mr Gerson Msigwa, during his visit to the Kwala Dry Port and the Sino- Tanzania Industrial Park at Vigwaza in Kibaha, Coats Region.

“Dar es Salaam Port is often congested due to its role as the main entry point for goods entering and exiting Tanzania, as well as for land-linked countries in the region.

The Kwala Dry Port will help to alleviate this pressure by providing an alternative facility for cargo handling.

This reduces delays, speeds up the logistics chain, and increases the overall efficiency of port operations in Tanzania.

“This dry port we are establishing is largely aimed at reducing truck congestion because even truck owners are affected by congestion, it troubles them as they spend a lot of time picking up cargo when they could arrive, pick up the cargo and leave,” said Mr Msigwa.

To further address truck congestion, the government is proceeding with the construction of a ring road project that will serve as an entry and exit point for Dar es Salaam, effectively bypassing the city’s congested routes. We are implementing the ring road project to divert trucks from congested city routes, allowing them to use the bypass for efficient entry and exit from Dar es Salaam,” he explained.

He also underscored that the government’s decision to build dry ports including Kwala is a step to address the significant congestion at the Dar es Salaam Port.

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“The government’s investment at the major seaports has seen increased services and has begun to cause pressure in handling container cargo,” he said.

Mr Msigwa said the Kwala Dry Port will reduce container cargo congestion at the Dar es Salaam port, which handles over one million containers per year, by 30 per cent, with the capacity to handle 300,000 containers annually.

He said dry port has the capacity to handle 800 containers per day and currently it has started with 700 containers, with 400 already transported to other regions and outside the countries.

Regarding the investment costs in the dry port, which is located 90 kilometres from the main port of Dar es Salaam Mr Msigwa explained that the government has invested about 83bn/- in clearing the area, constructing a large yard and connecting the Metre Gauge Railways (MGR) bypass railway, which is 1.3 km long costing 677m/- and is now 100 per cent complete.

He said that linking the railway to the port is intended to streamline the container retrieval process from the Dar es Salaam Port, decrease congestion, save time and operational expenses, draw investments and bring in users from foreign countries through the port.

He also noted the government’s plan to connect the railway to industrial parks and ports to streamline the production supply chain, importation of goods and cargo and transportation.

Mr Msigwa further said that in the execution of the project in the Kwala area, spanning a total of 1,200 hectares, they are currently in the initial phase, having developed about 10 hectares and the government plans to proceed with the development of the remaining area to cover all hectares.

“The goal is to have conducive environment and where investors coming in will not have challenges in picking up or storing their cargo,” he said.

He insisted that the Kwala Dry Port represents a significant step forward in Tanzania’s transport and logistics sector.

“By improving port efficiency, supporting regional trade, and creating economic opportunities, it will contribute positively to the country’s economic development. The dry port will support key sectors such as trade, manufacturing and infrastructure while also enhancing Tanzania’s position as a critical logistics hub in East Africa,” he said.