The Port of Dar es Salaam has cut vehicle cargo discharge times by more than 90% following operational changes at its main multipurpose terminal, which recently handled the longest vessel to call at the port.
Discharge times for comparable vehicle cargo had fallen from more than 300 hours to less than 28 hours since DP World took over operations at Terminal 1 under a 30-year concession in April 2024, the company said.
The terminal remains owned by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), while DP World is responsible for its operation and development.
Dedicated Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) operations have since been introduced in partnership with TPA, enabling specialised vehicle carriers to discharge cargo more efficiently.
The operational improvements were demonstrated during the recent call of the M/V Ramhan, the longest vessel handled at Dar es Salaam port. The 240-metre vessel, which can carry up to 7 790 vehicles, discharged 779 car-equivalent units, consisting mainly of heavy-duty vehicles, in 27 hours.
The turnaround time represented a substantial improvement compared with previous vehicle-handling operations at the terminal, DP World said.
The company has continued to invest in infrastructure, technology and workforce training under the concession agreement.
