The port of Dar es Salaam
offers several competitive
advantages against
other harbours serving
Zambia – particularly for exports,
says Firoz Dungarsi, managing
director of Ndola-based Inland
Investments.
“Everyone talks about
congestion in
Dar es Salaam,
but there are
only delays
when it comes
to offloading,
which is where
ships are forced
to wait outside
the port. Once they are in the port
it is efficient.
“There are no delays when it
comes to loading,” he says.
Having a strong presence in
the Tanzanian port through the
parent TRH group also helps the
company to expedite the flow of
cargo through the port.
“We are able to ensure that the
cargo is cleared and delivered to
the stack on time for loading,” he
says.
Regarding security in the port,
he says it is important to time
delivery to the
very last day to
ensure minimum
dwell time.
Inland
Investments
provides storage
outside of the port
so that cargo can
be stored ahead of stack date.
“We believe no other company
has as much infrastructure and
support in Dar es Salaam as the
TRH group of companies, and
we continue to invest in the port
city,” he says.
The company also provides
trucking and security services
from the Copperbelt to Dar es
Salaam, operating up to 460
loads a month.
The TRH group has plans to
establish its own fuel storage
facility in order to manage an
annual fuel shortage. “We use
50 000-70 000 litres of fuel a
month, and we are faced with
shortages of supply every year.
Having our own facility will mean
that we will not run out, and we
will be able to keep our clients’
freight moving,” he says.
Copper is the main commodity
on the outbound leg, and the
trucks are loaded with general
cargo for the return.
“The total transit time from the
Democratic Republic of Congo is
between eight to ten days, with up
to five days spent at the border.
Actual travelling time is about
five days,” he says.
Inefficiencies and theft
have seen rail volumes decline,
although some freight is still
moved by rail. Dungarsi is one
of many who are hoping that
the promises of the rejuvenation
of the rail link by the Tanzania
Zambia Railways Authority
(Tazara) will be fulfilled.
INSERT
460 The number of loads moving between
the Copperbelt and Dar es Salaam on a
monthly basis.
INSERT & CAPTION
Storage provided outside of
the port so that cargo can
be stored ahead of stack
date.
– Firoz Dungarsi
