TZ pledges stronger efforts on port efficiency, safety

LONDON: TANZANIA has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing port efficiency, maritime safety, security and decarbonisation initiatives, with a strong focus on innovation and solidarity as key drivers of sustainable maritime development.

Tanzania’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Mbelwa Kairuki, presented the country’s assurance while addressing the ongoing 34th regular session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Assembly at the organisation’s headquarters in London.

The assembly, which opened on Monday, has brought together delegations from 176 IMO member states to deliberate on global maritime safety, environmental protection and the future of international shipping.

Ambassador Kairuki said Tanzania stands firmly with the IMO in promoting safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean and healthy seas, noting that while oceans face increasing pressure, they also offer enormous opportunities for global growth and cooperation.

“We come to this assembly with optimism and a strong belief that innovation and solidarity can drive sustainable maritime development for all nations,” he said.

He added: “Together, we can build a maritime future that is safer, cleaner and more inclusive—a future where every nation, regardless of size, moves forward with confidence.”

The ambassador told the assembly that Tanzania is currently expanding the Port of Dar es Salaam through the addition of a new berth, alongside major efforts to improve operational efficiency and strengthen safety and security systems.

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He said the port expansion is also being supported by improved road and railway linkages to enhance cargo movement efficiency, noting that Tanzania serves as a key maritime gateway for five landlinked countries in the region and is therefore central to meeting their growing trade demands.

Ambassador Kairuki further revealed that Tanzania is strengthening Port State Control by fully implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code across all its ports. He added that cooperation under the Djibouti Code of Conduct is being deepened as part of wider efforts to combat maritime crime and enhance security in regional waters.

He also welcomed ongoing reforms within the IMO aimed at strengthening governance, transparency and operational efficiency, saying the reforms renew confidence in the organisation and promote full and effective participation of all member states, regardless of size or economic strength.

“The reform agenda is vital in ensuring the IMO remains responsive, inclusive and fit for purpose in addressing the complex challenges facing the global maritime sector,” he said.

Ambassador Kairuki expressed Tanzania’s support for strengthening the IMO audit scheme and consolidating the implementation of IMO conventions to ensure uniform standards of safety, security and environmental protection across the world’s oceans.

He commended the work of the organisation’s committees for their role in saving lives at sea, protecting the marine environment and maintaining global standards of safety compliance and operational efficiency.

On climate change, the ambassador reiterated Tanzania’s strong commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry. He said the country is in the final stages of ratifying the MARPOL Annex VI, which focuses on the prevention of air pollution from ships.

“We would like to emphasise that global ambition must be matched with fairness. Developing countries need balanced measures that recognise both their capacities and their challenges,” he stressed.

He called on the IMO and its development partners to scale up financial and technical support, including technology transfer and pilot projects in green port initiatives, to ensure a just and inclusive transition towards decarbonised maritime transport.

Ambassador Kairuki also expressed Tanzania’s appreciation to the IMO for supporting human capital development as the backbone of the maritime sector through its Technical Cooperation Division, as well as through institutions such as the World Maritime University and the International Maritime Law Institute.

“The United Republic of Tanzania stands ready to work with all member states to deliver the maritime future we all aspire to,” he assured.