Poor infrastructure blights Port of Dar es Salaam

Inadequate investment in infrastructure at the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is undermining global and regional export competitiveness, according to a report by TradeMark East Africa (TMEA). According to the report, the cost of shipping to Tanzania is 25% higher than rates to competing ports in Southern Africa due to the port's inefficiencies caused by inadequate investment in infrastructure. “Inefficiency and delays also increase inventory cost for high value commodities, deterring private investment, while excessive import dwell time and slow clearing and forwarding procedures,” the report states. Dar es Salaam port is a key link in the transport supply chain in East Africa and handles over nine million tonnes of cargo annually. In container trade, the port has been registering a 12% growth per annum since 2000. To improve port efficiency, TradeMark East Africa has committed US$21.3 million to the Tanzania Port Authority (TPA). "TMEA will also assist the TPA to design and implement strategies for the changing nature of trade." TMEA has also signed a financing agreement with the TPA and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to fund two feasibility studies for deepening and strengthening berths and modernising cargo handling facilities.