DODOMA: THE government has proudly revealed its efforts to strengthen the transportation sector through the successful enhancement of infrastructure in aviation, ports and railways.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa outlined key achievements while presenting a report on the implementation of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party’s Election Manifesto for the period from November 2020 to December 2024.
The Prime Minister delivered the report to CCM Chairperson, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, as well as the National Executive Committee and members in attendance, during the party’s Extraordinary General Meeting, which concluded yesterday in Dodoma.
Outlining the notable achievements in the port sector, the PM said the completion of significant infrastructure improvements, including the construction of new docks and the expansion of the Dar es Salaam Port, which has already yielded positive results.
He stated that through investment and collaboration with the private sector—particularly via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government and DP World of the United Arab Emirates—the efficiency and operations of Dar es Salaam Port services have significantly improved, along with increased direct revenue collections.
“From May 2024 to November 2024, we handled 5.22 million tonnes of cargo, a 15 per cent increase over the 4.375 million tonnes handled in the same period the previous year,” said Mr Majaliwa.
He further reported that the number of containers handled by DP World during this period reached 139,719 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 44 per cent increase from the 96,854 TEUs handled in the same period in 2023.
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The Prime Minister also noted that the average waiting time for ships to unload cargo has decreased from an average of 46 days between May 2023 and November 2023, to just seven days from May 2024 to November 2024.
“For container cargo vessels, DP World has completely eliminated the waiting time for vessels docking at the port, allowing them to proceed directly to the berth upon arrival,” he said.
“These achievements are the result of investments in modern equipment and the use of improved ICT systems to handle container cargo efficiently,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that from May 2024 to November 2024, a total of 62.44bn/- has been collected in rental and royalty fees.
This figure does not include other service fees provided by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), such as those for vessels and infrastructure usage, which together, total 451.39bn/- during the same period. Mr Majaliwa also revealed that operating costs at Dar es Salaam Port have decreased by 47 per cent.
The average monthly costs, previously at 34.52bn/- , have now been reduced to 17.97bn/- from May 2024 to November 2024.
Turning to Mwanza, the Prime Minister announced that the construction of the new MV Mwanza vessel, “Hapa Kazi Tu,” is now 96 per cent complete and the MV Umoja vessel has been completed and is now operational.
He added that the construction of the main coordination centre for maritime monitoring and rescue in Lake Victoria (MRCC), aimed at ensuring transport safety, has reached 67 per cent completion.
Regarding Tanga Port, the Prime Minister said the government has completed the second phase of improvements, which includes the rehabilitation of berths 1 and 2 (300 metres long), the purchase of equipment and the deepening of the port from three to 13 metres.
In the realm of aviation, the Prime Minister highlighted that the government has enhanced the fleet of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), which now consists of 16 aircraft.
He also announced the completion of the expansions at Mwanza and Songwe airports, while the construction of Msalato International Airport in Dodoma is ongoing, with progress at 64 per cent.
