TANGA: Tanga Port yesterday received a 13,000-tonne container vessel, the first to dock directly from Iran, thanks to significant port expansion and improved efficiency.
The towering vessel arrived carrying 463 containers—261 for Tanzania and 182 destined for Malawi, Zambia, Uganda and other SADC countries—loaded with industrial equipment, manufacturing inputs and specialised technology products.
The arrival was coordinated by Seven Seas Shipping Agency, the trailblazing firm spearheading Iran–Tanga maritime operations.
Tanga Regional Commissioner, Dr Batilda Burian, said the efficient operations at Tanga Port are a game changer for youth employment and the region’s competitiveness.
“This marks the beginning of a new era in technology-driven trade across the Indian Ocean,” she said.
Welcoming the crew led by Captain Ahmadjoo, Dr Burian noted that interaction between Iran and Tanzania through Tanga Port is promising, as Tanga’s young innovators can directly engage with Iran’s advanced small-scale technologies.
She said: “Iran possesses cutting-edge technologies in spice processing, small industries and pharmaceuticals. These are sectors where Tanga’s youth can innovate, manufacture and export products to markets with strong demand. This ship is more than cargo, it is an open door.”
She revealed that the regional government is advancing discussions with Iranian authorities to establish Sister-City and Sister-Region partnerships aimed at accelerating youth-focused technology transfer, industrial skills exchange and market access for local producers.
Dr Burian noted that traders can now order products from Iran and have them delivered within eight days.
“We can position Tanga as a hub for wholesale trade in Iranian products, boosting our regional economic growth,” she explained.
She further highlighted that the remarkable growth of Tanga Port—now attracting long-distance maritime traffic—is a direct result of the 429.1bn/- investment in its modernisation and expansion.
“This port is rising because the government invested wisely. Increased maritime arrivals mean jobs, factories and export possibilities. But all this requires one major ingredient, peace,” she stressed.
Dr Burian added: “Without peace, the opportunities we celebrate today would vanish.”
She explained that Tanga is endowed with many agricultural crops, including sisal, coffee, spices and sea products that could help youth transform their economic livelihoods.
She cautioned that any disruption to stability would not only affect Tanzania but also the many land-linked countries relying on Tanzanian ports for their economic lifeline.
Seven Seas Shipping Agency Operations Manager, Athumani Kimaro, said the arrival of MV Pioneer signals the birth of a steady maritime corridor between Iran and Tanga.
“This is the beginning of a new phase in active maritime trade. For the first time, we are handling direct sailings between Iranian ports and Tanga. We expect between three to four ship calls per month,” he said.
He revealed that additional vessels are already lined up, with the next ship scheduled to dock on December 8, followed by another on December 14.
The voyage between Iran and Tanga takes only 7–8 days, making it one of the fastest long-range maritime links for exporters and importers in East Africa.
On his part, Captain Ahmadjoo expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and efficiency at Tanga Port, saying his crew “looks forward to making Tanga a frequent destination.” Tanga District Commissioner, Dadi Kolimba, urged youth to wage an unwitting struggle to ensure that the opportunities brought by this new link do not pass them by.