port of Dar es Salaam

{{Update|date=March 2025}}

{{Short description|Large port located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania}}

{{Infobox port

|name=Port of Dar es Salaam

|image=The bird's view of the harbour in Dar es Salaam.jpg

|image_size=

|image_caption=An aerial view of The Port of Dar es Salaam.

|coordinates={{Coord|6|50|6.40|S|39|17|37.65|E|region:TZ|display=inline,title}}

|locode= TZDAR{{cite web |title=UNLOCODE (TZ) - Tanzania, United Republic of |url=https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tz.htm |website=service.unece.org |access-date=28 April 2020 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407213622/https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/tz.htm |url-status=live }}

|pushpin_map= Tanzania#Africa#World

|pushpin_map_caption=Location of the Port of Dar es Salaam.

|country=Tanzania

|location=Tanzania Port Authority Tower, 1 Nelson Mandela Road, Kurasini, Temeke District, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

|opened=

|operated=Tanzania Ports Authority

|owner=Government of Tanzania

|type=Natural

|sizewater=

|sizeland=

|size=

|berths=11{{cite web|title=Annual Statistics Report 2012 - 2013|url=http://www.tanzaniaports.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=530&Itemid=247|website=Tanzania Port Authority|access-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223052127/http://www.tanzaniaports.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=530&Itemid=247|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=dead}}

|wharfs=4

|blankdetailstitle1=Channel depth

|blankdetails1=12m{{cite news |date=5 December 2013 |title=Dar Port dockyard for dredging |url=http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/25467-dar-port-dockyard-for-dredging |newspaper=Daily News (Tanzania) |access-date=5 February 2014 |archive-date=9 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209021952/http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/25467-dar-port-dockyard-for-dredging |url-status=live }}

|piers=

|employees=2,684(2012)

|leadershiptitle=Port Manager

|leader=(Seat Empty){{cite news|title=Why TPA Bosses Were Sacked|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201512090335.html|access-date=22 December 2015|agency=The Citizen|publisher=AllAfrica|date=8 December 2015|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107122006/http://allafrica.com/stories/201512090335.html|url-status=live}}

|blankdetailstitle2=

|blankdetails2=

|blankdetailstitle3=

|blankdetails3=

|arrivals={{increase}}1,518 {{small|(2016)}}

|cargotonnage={{decrease}} 14.3 million {{small|(2016)}}

|containervolume={{decrease}} 595,109 {{small|(2016)}}

|cargovalue={{increase}}US$ 15 billion{{cite web |url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/05/21/tanzania-could-boost-its-economy-by-reforming-the-port-of-dar-es-salaam-world-bank |title=Tanzania Could Boost its Economy by Reforming the Port of Dar es Salaam - World Bank |date=21 May 2013 |publisher=World Bank |access-date=5 February 2014 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125230709/https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/05/21/tanzania-could-boost-its-economy-by-reforming-the-port-of-dar-es-salaam-world-bank |url-status=live }}

|passengertraffic={{increase}}1,614,831 {{small|(2016)}}{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2016 |url=https://www.ports.go.tz/images/Reports/Annual_Report/ANNUAL-REPORT-FOR-THE-YEAR-ENDED-JUNE-2016.pdf |website=www.ports.go.tz |access-date=14 March 2019 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208025538/https://www.ports.go.tz/images/Reports/Annual_Report/ANNUAL-REPORT-FOR-THE-YEAR-ENDED-JUNE-2016.pdf |url-status=live }}

|revenue=

|profit=

|blankstatstitle1=

|blankstats1=

|blankstatstitle2=

|blankstats2=

|blankstatstitle3=

|blankstats3=

|website={{URL|http://www.tanzaniaports.com/|Port authority website}}

}}

The Port of Dar es Salaam (Bandari ya Dar es Salaam, in Swahili) is the principal port serving Tanzania located in Kurasini ward of Temeke District of Dar es Salaam Region.{{cite web |url=http://www.tanzaniaports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=270 |title=Profile: Dar es Salaam Port |publisher=Tanzania Ports Authority |access-date=5 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222180354/http://www.tanzaniaports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&Itemid=270 |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36458946 |title=The race to become East Africa's biggest port |access-date=2021-01-31 |archive-date=2022-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201054107/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36458946 |url-status=live }} The port is one of three ocean ports in the country and handles over 90% of the country's cargo traffic. According to the International Association of Ports and Harbors, it is the fourth largest port on the African continent's Indian Ocean coastline after Durban, Mombasa and Maputo.{{cite news |last=Jerving |first=Sara |title=Tanzania to Upgrade Dar es Salaam Port to Compete With Mombasa |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-25/tanzania-to-upgrade-dar-es-salaam-port-to-compete-with-mombasa.html |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=5 February 2014 |archive-date=2014-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222145219/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-25/tanzania-to-upgrade-dar-es-salaam-port-to-compete-with-mombasa.html |url-status=live }} The port acts as a gateway for commerce and trade for Tanzania and numerous bordering landlocked states.

History

=Colonial period=

File:Dar-es-Salam.jpg

File:Dar es Salaam Port Lighthouse.JPG]]

The city owes its existence to the port at Dar es Salaam. The city began its development in 1862 by the Sultan of Zanzibar Majid bin Said as an alternative port to the ports of Bagamoyo and Zanzibar; however, after his death the project was scrapped. It was not resumed until the German East Africa Company began to rebuild the city in 1887. The Germans had already completed the Usambara Railway from the Port of Tanga and began constructing the new Tanzanian Central Line from their new capital to the port of Dar es Salaam.{{cite web|title=Port of Dar es Salaam|url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/review/TZA_Port_of_Dar_es_Salaam_46.php|publisher=World Port Source|access-date=22 December 2015|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816003402/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/review/TZA_Port_of_Dar_es_Salaam_46.php|url-status=live}}

After World War I the British took over Tanganyika and maintained their capital in the city. Economic activity continued through the early 20th century and through World War II, centralised around the city and this facilitated expansion of the port. After Tanganyika gained its independence the city retained its position as the commercial capital.{{cite web|title=The history of Dar es Salaam – Bandar-ul-Salaam|url=http://www.africaontheblog.com/the-history-of-dar-es-salaam-bandar-ul-salaam/|website=africaontheblog|access-date=22 December 2015|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816003405/http://www.africaontheblog.com/the-history-of-dar-es-salaam-bandar-ul-salaam/|url-status=live}}

=Apartheid South Africa=

Due to the Apartheid South Africa government many land-locked Southern African countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi that had relied on South African ports turned to the Port of Dar es Salaam. This facilitated the construction of the TAZARA Railway, TANZAM highway and the Malawi corridor link.{{cite book|last1=Odén|first1=Bertil|title=Southern Africa After Apartheid: Regional Integration and External Resources|date=1 January 1993|publisher=Nordic Africa Institute|isbn=9171063323|pages=131}} The port provides a gateway for Zambian copper exports and Malawian tobacco exports, furthermore it provides a vital lifeline for fuel imports.

=Present operations=

File:The detailed view of Dar es Salaam Port.jpg

With the continually growing economies in the region the reliance of dar port increased drastically. The port saw an average of 10% annual growth of cargo traffic from 2003 onwards which complemented the rapid growth of the city of Dar es Salaam.{{cite news|last1=Ashery|first1=Mkama|title=Dar Port Tipped to Be Important Component of Economic Growth|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201403060138.html|access-date=22 December 2015|agency=Tanzania Daily News|publisher=All Africa|date=6 March 2014|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223091244/http://allafrica.com/stories/201403060138.html|url-status=live}}

The port has faced increased criticism of inefficiencies and corruption and has seen increased international pressure.{{cite news|last1=Ihucha|first1=Adam|title=Tanzania losing billions through poor transport systems - AfDB|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Tanzania-losing-billions-through-poor-transport-systems---AfDB-/-/2560/2235748/-/4qyq0l/-/index.html|access-date=22 December 2015|agency=The East African|date=8 March 2014|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223085017/http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Tanzania-losing-billions-through-poor-transport-systems---AfDB-/-/2560/2235748/-/4qyq0l/-/index.html|url-status=live}}

Expansion

The port is currently being expanded at the cost of $421m.{{cite web|url=https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2019-03-195c90c88312718.aspx|title=DAR PORT EXPANSION SAID TO BE MAKING PROGRESS|work=Daily News|date=March 19, 2019|access-date=2020-06-06|archive-date=2020-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606092125/https://dailynews.co.tz/news/2019-03-195c90c88312718.aspx|url-status=live}} The number of vehicles will rise by 268 percent upon completion of the port.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/1840340-5275020-9cjo80/index.html|title=Tanzania Ports Authority car handling capacity to rise 270pc|work=The Citizen|date=September 16, 2019|access-date=June 6, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606091049/https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/1840340-5275020-9cjo80/index.html|url-status=live}}

In July 2020, a foundation stone was laid for the construction of an inland port in Tanzania at the cost of $20m.{{cite web|url=https://www.portstrategy.com/news101/world/africa/tanzanian-port-construction-begins|title=TANZANIAN PORT CONSTRUCTION BEGINS|work=Port Strategy|date=July 8, 2020|access-date=July 9, 2020|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709065150/https://www.portstrategy.com/news101/world/africa/tanzanian-port-construction-begins|url-status=live}}

The construction will include building a 150m berth, which is all set for completion in 24 months. As of July 2020, 80 percent of the construction has been completed.{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/13/c_139208285.htm|title=Feature: Chinese firm's upgrade of Tanzania's largest port set to bolster handling capacity|work=Xinhua|date=July 13, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=July 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713054411/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/13/c_139208285.htm|url-status=dead}}

Foreign cargo centers

File:Cargo crane at TPA.jpg.]]

{{Pie chart

| caption=Country wise distribution of cargo (excluding Tanzania) through Dar-es-Salaam port (Imports + Exports 2015/16)

| label1 = Zambia

| value1 = 37.47

| color1 = #008803

| label2 = D. R. Congo

| value2 = 30.32

| color2 = #0099ff

| label3 = Rwanda

| value3 = 17.39

| color3 = #e5e600

| label4 = Burundi

| value4 = 7.27

| color4 = #cc0000

| label5 =Uganda

| value5 =3.23

| color5 = #000000

| label6= Malawi

| value6 = 2.21

| color6 = #9900cc

| label7= Other

| value7=2.11

| color7= #a3a3c2

}}

35% of cargo moving through the port is foreign owned and Dar es Salaam port facilitates countries that rely heavily on Dar es salaam port and gives them licenses to operate their own cargo centers. The foreign cargo centers help countries to process cargo from their respective countries to increase efficiency and reduce costs.{{cite web|title=Cargo Centers|url=http://www.tanzaniaports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105&Itemid=275|website=Tanzania Ports|publisher=Tanzania Port Authority|access-date=22 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223023758/http://www.tanzaniaports.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105&Itemid=275|url-status=live}}

=MOFED Tanzania Limited=

MOFED Tanzania limited is a Zambian-owned clearing and forwarding company. MOFED stands for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which in April 2001 replaced the defunct zamcargo.{{cite news|title=Zambia {{sic|loo|sing|hide=y}} revenue – Envoy|url=http://www.znbc.co.zm/?p=25017|access-date=22 December 2015|agency=Zambia National Broadcasting Center|publisher=ZNBC|date=5 November 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223091652/http://www.znbc.co.zm/?p=25017|url-status=live}} The company is an entirely Zambian government owned organization and deals with the majority of Zambian Exports and Imports.{{cite web|title=MOFED - About Us|url=http://mofed.co.tz/index.php#about_us|website=mofed.co.tz|access-date=22 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223073808/http://mofed.co.tz/index.php#about_us|url-status=live}} MOFED operates out of the Mukuba Depot, located in south Kurasini and has direct access to the TAZARA rail link.

=Malawi Cargo Center Limited=

The Malawi Cargo Center was set up by the Government of Malawi in the early 1990s due to the closure of Beira and Nacala ports following the Mozambique Civil war.{{cite news|title=VP Kachali visits the Malawi Cargo Centre in Tanzania|url=http://www.nyasatimes.com/2012/12/07/vp-kachali-visits-the-malawi-cargo-centre-in-tanzania/|access-date=22 December 2015|agency=Nyasa Times|publisher=Nyasa Times|date=7 December 2012|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223154949/http://www.nyasatimes.com/2012/12/07/vp-kachali-visits-the-malawi-cargo-centre-in-tanzania/|url-status=live}} The company has dedicated warehouses and operates dry ports in Dar es Salaam and Mbeya. The MCCL's main revenue earner/cargo is fuel bound for Malawi. Fuel and goods are loaded onto wagons on the TAZARA bound for Mbeya and then trucked into Malawi through the Kyela Border.{{cite web|title=Malawi Cargo Center Limited - Home|url=http://www.mcclmw.com/|website=Malawi Cargo Center Limited|access-date=22 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223045212/http://www.mcclmw.com/|url-status=live}}

Awards

Dar Port has been voted Africa's Leading Cruise Port in the 27th edition of the World Travel Awards in Africa.{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202011110530.html|title=Tanzania: Dar Port Voted Best in Africa|work=All Africa|date=November 11, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111102925/https://allafrica.com/stories/202011110530.html|url-status=live}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}