Hassan Magulumali
Minister of Transport Prof. Makame M. Mbarawa has directed the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to officially begin handling cargo at the EPZA open area in Kurasini by November 2026, as part of efforts to improve efficiency at the Port of Dar es Salaam.
Prof. Mbarawa issued the directive after visiting the site to inspect progress on the project, which has now reached 98 percent completion.
He said the facility will operate as an extension of the Port of Dar es Salaam, with all key institutions required for cargo clearance and handling expected to be available at the site. The arrangement will allow customers to collect their cargo directly from the facility, helping to ease congestion and improve the overall efficiency of port operations.
According to the minister, once completed, the facility will provide additional storage space for cargo discharged at the Port of Dar es Salaam, freeing up capacity for the port to receive and handle more incoming shipments.
“This project will reduce the pressure on the Port of Dar es Salaam because cargo arriving at the port will be transferred directly to this facility,” Prof. Mbarawa said.
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He added that the first phase of the project will have the capacity to handle 150,000 TEUs, while the second phase is expected to increase capacity to 700,000 TEUs.
The development is part of the government’s broader strategy to expand cargo-handling capacity and respond to the growing volume of shipments passing through Tanzania’s main commercial port.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Port of Dar es Salaam, Abed G. Abed, said cargo volumes increased significantly during the 2024/2025 financial year, recording an increase of approximately six million tonnes.
He said the growth in cargo volumes prompted the government to take strategic measures, including transforming the EPZA Kurasini area into an extension of the port to accommodate larger volumes of cargo.
Abed added that the new facility will also provide space for trucks and cargo awaiting clearance and transportation from the Port of Dar es Salaam.
The completion and operationalisation of the Kurasini facility is expected to play a key role in reducing congestion, improving cargo movement and strengthening the Port of Dar es Salaam’s capacity to serve Tanzania and neighbouring landlocked countries.
