GRAND DAR PORT BOOSTER PLAN GOES INTO ACTION

Transport Minister Samuel Sitta.

An ambitious project to modernise and expand Dar es Salaam Port to handle 22 million metric tons and reduce ship’s dwell time from the current 9-10 days to five days by 2020 has finally started.

The project, dubbed Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Modernization (DMGM) project, which is backed by World Bank and Department for International Development’s 593 million US dollars (over 1.1bn/-) soft loan and grant, will see the country’s prime port improve infrastructure and manpower.

Transport Minister Samuel Sitta downplayed critics of the project who feared that its implementation will remain elusive saying by 2020; the port should be able to handle third generation cargo ships.

“Some people had fears that the project will take many years to implement but here we are now,” said Mr Sitta in a speech read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Transport, Dr Shaban Mwinjaka.

He said the project which is part of Big Results Now initiative will include modernising and upgrading of Berth 1 to 7 while aged general cargo warehouses will be demolished to pave way for container handling equipment.

“We have already signed memorandum of understanding with governments of Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo, which have pledged to use Dar es Salaam Port for their imports and exports,” Dr Mwinjaka said before kick-starting the demolition exercise of aged warehouses.

He urged the private sector to join forces in implementing the ambitious project which also involves modernisation of the central railway line and reduction of border barriers.

Acting Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Director General Awadh Masawe said efficiency at the country’s major sea gateway has continued to improve under BRN, adding that the cargo handled last year peaked over 14 million metric tons against the target of 31.5 million tons.

“Our target is to handle 18 million metric tons by 2016/17 season,” Mr Masawe said while pointing out that under phase one of the project, with funding from Trade mark East Africa and TPA, the work will involve construction of access roads to Gates 5 and 8 to dual carriageways.

Other planned works include the demolition of warehouses 2 and 3 which will provide over 12,000 square metres of space for a container depot.

Phase two of the project will involve drenching of the port’s mouth, modernisation and expansion of Berth 1 to 7 and other major infrastructure, including single window system installation.

Head of DFID Mission, Mr Vell Gnanendran, and Trade Mark East Africa Director General, Mr David Stanton, pledged to continue supporting the government in improving efficiency at the Dar es Salaam Port and the central corridor because of its importance to economies in the region.

“Dar es Salaam Port handles two thirds of this country’s imports and exports but also goods from neighbouring landlocked countries in the region which is one of the fastest growing economically,” Mr Gnanendran said.

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