Dar port dominates as Tanzania’s port cargo surges 17pct to 24.2 million tonnes

The volume of cargo handled through Tanzania’s major sea and lake ports increased by 17.2 percent to 24.2 million tonnes during H1, 2023 as compared to 20.6 million tonnes posted during the same period last year, dominated by Dar es Salaam and Mtwara ports according to the consolidated zonal economic performance report H1, 2023 released by the Central Bank.

According to available data, Dar es Salaam port cargo grew by 14.3 percent to 21.05 million tonnes during H1, 2023 as compoared to 18.4 million tonnes posted during the similar period last year.

“The increase in the volume of cargo in Dar es Salaam port was largely attributed to an increase in exportation of dry and liquid bulk, whereas for Mtwara port was driven by coal and cement exports,” the report shows.

Similarly the volume of cargo handled by Mtwara port also 1,628.6 tonnes during H1, 2023 as compared to 592.4 tonnes recorded during the same period last year.

There was also improved performance of Mbamba Bay port that shoot to 88.8 tonnes in H1, 2023 from 5.6 recorded during the same period last year due to increased volume of cargo in relation to beverage exports to Malawi and coal transported to Mbeya through Kiwira port for Mbeya cement factory the report added.

Airports Performance

Airport operations across zones continued to improve, with the number of international and domestic flights rising to 28,806 and 116,710 in 2022/23 from 25,251 and 87,449 in 2021/22, respectively.

“The volume of cargo handled increased to 34,069.6 tonnes from 28,262.5 tonnes in the preceding year, largely associated with improvement of airport infrastructure and expansion of economic activities,” the report adds.