DAR ES SALAAM: STRATEGIC Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have significantly transformed the country’s port operations and infrastructure, leading to improved efficiency and service delivery.
According to the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), over the past five years, from the 2020/21 to the 2024/25 financial years, ports across the country have consistently delivered higher-quality services with enhanced efficiency, progress that has been widely acknowledged by stakeholders. In the 2020/21 financial year, TPA handled 17.18 million tonnes of cargo.
By the 2024/25 financial year, the volume had risen to 32.75 million tonnes. Improvements have also been recorded in maritime traffic, with the number of vessels serviced increasing from 4,301 in 2020/21 to 4,888 in 2024/25.
TPA Manager for Port Operations Coordination, Mr Josephat Lukindo revealed these achievements during a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) Conference organised by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Association.
The conference brought together more than 100 stakeholders from government institutions, port and transport authorities, logistics service providers, importers, exporters and cargo owners to deliberate on port efficiency, operational sustainability and trade and logistics challenges, as well as practical solutions through public-private collaboration.
Held under the theme “Driving Sustainable Port Operations through Public-Private Collaboration,” the event was officiated by the Director General of the Public Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), Mr David Kafulila.
Addressing participants, Mr Lukindo said the improved efficiency is largely the result of major infrastructure investments undertaken by the government through TPA at both seaports and lake ports.
“This efficiency is the outcome of significant infrastructure improvements carried out by our government through TPA at our major seaports and lake ports,” he said.
He added that the achievements are closely linked to private sector participation, noting that TPA has entered into partnership agreements with DP World and Tanzania East Africa Gateway Terminal Limited (TEAGTL).
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Mr Lukindo said the improvements include the construction of a new berth at the Port of Dar es Salaam, as well as the strengthening of berths one to seven through dredging works that deepened the port to 14.75 metres.
“We have also improved vessel access channels and turning basins, enabling the port to accommodate much larger vessels than before,” he said.
He further noted that major upgrades have also been implemented at the ports of Tanga and Mtwara.
Providing further details, Mr Lukindo said DP World is currently handling an average of between 25,000 and 30,000 containers per month, compared to an average of 7,000 containers per month before the investment.
For TEAGTL, the average monthly container throughput has increased from about 60,000 to between 70,000 and 75,000 containers.
“This efficiency is clearly reflected even in road traffic patterns. What we are seeing is not inefficiency, but rather increased economic activity,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr Lukindo said TPA has set an ambitious target to handle about 54.59 million tonnes of cargo by the 2030/31 financial year.
“This increase is substantial compared to our current infrastructure capacity. Achieving this target will bring even greater transformation to the port sector and the economy as a whole,” he said.
He stressed that reaching the target will require close and genuine collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly through Public-Private Partnerships.
Earlier, Mr Kafulila underscored the need for public institutions to develop clear PPP strategies that outline effective engagement with the private sector in implementing institutional plans and strengthening cooperation frameworks.
He commended TPA for being among the leading public institutions in promoting private sector participation and for being one of the first to develop a dedicated PPP strategy for port operations.