Thanks to renovations and upgrades, data shows that several countries in the sub-region prefer the Tanzanian port of Tanga for their trade exchanges. Its covered warehouse represents a surface area of 13,800 square meters.

Port of Tanga rapidly gaining ground in East Africa

According to the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), « The port infrastructure is poised to potentially surpass the port of Mtwara as the second busiest port in Tanzania ». This growth aligns with the government’s vision to transform the nation into a leading freight and transit hub. The TPA is meeting this challenge by improving the efficiency and capacity of its ports, ensuring they remain competitive in the region.

Currently, the port of Mombasa in Kenya is the largest and busiest port in East Africa, closely followed by Dar es Salaam. According to the Kenya Ports Authority, the port of Mombasa handled 41.1 million tons of cargo in 2024, reflecting a 14.2 % increase in the port’s commercial activity compared to 2023.

In comparison, TPA reports that Dar es Salaam handled 14.4 million tons of cargo between May and November 2024, representing a 5.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. However, the TPA is not stopping at the port of Dar es Salaam and is now channeling more freight to the port of Tanga, the oldest in the region.

Journey to the heart of the port of Tanga

This week, the Ministry of Energy decided to use the port of Tanga, the second largest in Tanzania, for emergency fuel supplies. This decision comes after Malawi chose the modernized port of Tanga over its usual main choices, namely the Mozambican ports of Beira and Nacala.

Port activity is increasing in the region. The number of registered customs clearance agents has increased by 400 %, from 32 to 164. This is clear evidence of an economic growth boom throughout the region.

The director of the port of Tanga, Mr. Masudi Mrisha, acknowledges the increase in activities at the maritime container terminal: « There has been a significant increase in maritime traffic between July 1st and September 30th, with at least 113 ships docking at our port… the increase is directly related to the expansion and improvement of our customs clearance and shipping services ».

History of the port of Tanga

The port of Tanga has a long history. Built-in 1891 when the region was German East Africa, the infrastructure was rebuilt in 1914 to meet the commercial and agricultural needs of northern Tanzania. This facility must now serve the rest of the country as well as the wider East and Central African region.

Initially, its capacity was low, and ships had to anchor two kilometers offshore due to its shallow quay. This offloading at sea incurred additional costs that slowed down activities. Now, thanks to infrastructure improvements, ships can dock directly at the quay, significantly reducing handling fees. These improvements attract large modern ships that previously used competing ports in neighboring countries but now choose to use the port of Tanga.

More ships docking at the port of Tanga

The port’s increased capacity is also reflected in the type of ships it currently accommodates. For example, of the 113 ships mentioned, 40 are deep-sea vessels, and 73 operate along the coast. « This growth is also reflected in increased employment… We previously had only 32 registered customs and transit agents; we now have more than 132 », adds the official.

Port activity is increasing due to reduced loading and unloading times, which have dropped from five days to just two. Now, six teams work in shifts 24 hours a day. Other factors contributing to the business boom at the port of Tanga include the elimination of fees previously charged to customers for transporting goods from ships anchored 1.7 kilometers offshore. Previously, customers paid 1.3 USD per shipment for this service; these fees have been abolished, and this has paid off.

Construction of new storage facilities

The port of Tanga handled 333,643 metric tons of goods between July and September 2024, exceeding its three-month target of 283,025 tons by 17.8 %. « This is a significant increase compared to the 230,000 tons we handled during the same period last year », says the port director. If the trend continues, « we could reach our target of handling 1.4 million tons of goods this year », the optimistic port director asserts.

To cope with this increasing flow of freight, new storage facilities are being constructed at the inland port site of Mambani. « We also have other sites, including land we have acquired in Chongoleani, where the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is building its oil terminal », he explains, affirming that all these sites will serve to increase its capacity to handle more goods.

Increasing the volume of goods handled

The expansion of the port of Tanga is part of Tanzania’s strategy to:

• Increase its capacity to accommodate larger ships
• Attract more ships
• Increase the volume of goods handled

These improvements are already contributing to over a 100 % increase in maritime traffic and port revenue. The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) aims for the Tanga maritime terminal to become the second largest port in Tanzania after Dar es Salaam. Currently, this honor is accorded to the port of Mtwara.

Potential of the port of Tanga

According to the TPA, each port is unique in terms of characteristics that can, in turn, have a major influence on its performance and efficiency. As for the port of Tanga, it is located to serve the northern regions of Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Manyara, the lake zone, and neighboring countries of Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, the southern part of Uganda, and now even Malawi. The port platform will serve as a trade exchange to strengthen the economic pact signed between Tanzania and Somalia.

The port of Tanga has a wide and deep entrance channel that can accommodate a ship of any size and draft. There are no tidal restrictions for ships entering or leaving the port, and it has a natural, well-sheltered bay for navigation services.

The infrastructure also includes a modern quay with a total length of 450 meters covering berths 1 and 2. Currently, there are two 12-inch offshore pipelines used for handling liquid bulk (petroleum products). This port has a conventional yard with a paved area of 29,000 m², as well as three warehouses with a storage area of 13,800 m². It also includes a quay area for marine equipment maintenance and a Ro-Ro ramp for passenger ship services.