TPA credits infrastructure for port ranking rise

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has attributed the Dar es Salaam Port’s 105-place rise in global rankings to ongoing investments in infrastructure and efforts to improve its capacity to handle ships and cargo efficiently.

TPA Director General, Plasduce Mbossa said the basic and logical aim of implementing infrastructure projects at all ports was to deliver competitive, world-class services to customers.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam recently during the launch of Customer Service Week, Mr Mbossa said the authority was committed to ensuring that investments in port infrastructure translated into improved services for port users.

“We are pretty serious on service delivery and our theme, ‘Going the Extra Mile’, says it all. It will serve as our guiding principle in carrying out our operations.

Our customers must receive quality services and their goods must leave our ports in time,” he told reporters.

Mr Mbossa said TPA’s achievements were already being recognised domestically and internationally, noting that the Port of Dar es Salaam had risen by 105 positions in global port rankings, from 360th place to 255th place.

He said the achievement reflected ongoing efforts to enhance port services as TPA continued implementing projects aimed at increasing ports’ capacity to handle ships and cargo.

“Despite the significant progress made in port modernisation, we thank the government for allowing us to borrow 500 million US dollars to continue improving our ports,” Mr Mbossa said.

He said one of the ongoing projects was the construction of 15 oil storage tanks in the Kigamboni area of Dar es Salaam, which had reached 52 per cent completion.

Mr Mbossa said other projects included construction of the Kurasini Dry Port and expansion of the Port of Mtwara, aimed at increasing the port’s capacity to handle cargo such as cement, coal and other similar products.

ALSO READ: TPA plans four-line cargo railway

“In addition to these improvements, we are also constructing the Malindi berth here in Dar es Salaam, in front of the Authority’s headquarters,” he said.

He said TPA also planned to further improve the Dar es Salaam Port by constructing berths 12 to 15 and strengthening Berths 8 to 11, a move aimed at increasing the port’s capacity to handle ships and cargo efficiently.

For his part, TPA Board Chairman, Ambassador Ernest Mangu commended the improved performance of the Dar es Salaam Port, but urged cargo transport stakeholders to collect their goods on time to reduce port congestion.

He urged TPA, cargo transport companies and other stakeholders to work together to address challenges arising from increased cargo volumes.

Amb Mangu also urged TPA to embrace innovation and identify operational shortcomings within the Authority.

He said the ports should continue serving as a vital link in promoting economic growth and achieving the objectives of the National Development Vision 2050.

“Our goal is to ensure that the ports continue to serve as a vital link in promoting economic growth and achieving the objectives of the National Development Vision 2050.

The public sector needs to work together with the private sector to achieve a 1 trillion US dollar economy by 2050,” he said.

Amb Mangu also presented awards to 12 outstanding TPA employees, urging them to continue working hard and embracing innovation.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *