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Port Management Association of
Eastern & Southern Africa
Eastern & Southern Africa
New Shipping Lines Call At Dar es Salaam Port As Efficiency Improves
May 27, 2021
The container terminal operator Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS), at port of Dar es Salaam, is seeing an increase in shipping activities and volumes coming through Tanzania.
According to TICTS Chief Executive Officer, Horace Hui, improved port performance reflects progress in cooperation with the government and the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to modernise operations at the terminal.
In April 2021 TICTS invested almost 2 million US dollars to relocate ship-to-shore gantry cranes decommissioned by TPA to increase berth length at the quayside thereby allowing 3 vessels, instead of 2, to berth at the same time and therefore increasing the annual handling capacity by almost 100,000 TEU’s.
He said the dismantling and relocation of the three (3) heavy-duty ship-toshore gantry cranes (SSG) have now enabled the berthing of three vessels at one time at the port, instead of just two.
There are currently six SSG cranes being deployed to discharge and load containers at the terminal.
The project for dismantling the cranes was carried out successfully by TICTS under the guidance and coordination with TPA to ensure it was done safely and efficiently without any interruption to operations.
As a result of the improved performance of the terminal, Gold Star Shipping Line has introduced their new service at the Dar es Salaam port, while MV Santo Antofagasta made its maiden voyage at the port on 16th May 2021.
“Additional berthing space created after the removal of the cranes will help to reduce the vessels waiting time at the Port,” Mr Hui said.
Part of a global network of terminal operators, TICTS operates the container terminal at the port of Dar es salaam under a lease agreement with the Tanzania Ports Authority since 2000.
TICTS is a member of Hutchison Ports, the port and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison).
It has a network of port operations in 53 ports spanning 27 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the America and Australasia. Over the years, Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related businesses, including cruise ships terminals, distribution centres, rail services and ship repair facilities.
TICTS manages container handling activities at the Dar es Salaam port at berths 8,9,10 and 11 and the inland container depot at Kurasini, which in total will have handled more than 8 million TEUs since its inception.
The Dar es Salaam port is the main gateway for more than 80 percent of Tanzanian sea trade and is also the access hub to six landlocked countries including Burundi, Uganda, Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
As Tanzania’s leading container handling facility, TICTS is committed to moving ahead and strengthening its role as the country maritime gateway, the CEO said.
“The Dar es Salaam port is strengthening its role as the country’s maritime gateway by investing in modern IT systems and mobile equipment, while constantly improving its productivity levels, efficiency and customer service,” said Mr Hui.
The improvement of efficiency at the Dar es Salaam port is a major boost as it faces increasing competition from other ports in East and Southern Africa such as Mombasa, Durban, Beira and Walvis Bay.
Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202105260602.html