All Other Tanzania Ports, Tanzania

Port Overview

Tanzania’s other ports beyond Dar es Salaam include Tanga, Mtwara, Zanzibar, Lindi, Kilwa Masoko, Mwanza, Bukoba, Mikindani, and Chake Chake. Tanga, on the northern coast, is the second-largest port, handling about 12,000 TEU annually and serving northern Tanzania and neighboring countries. Mtwara, in the south, handles around 15,000 TEU and supports regional exports like cashew nuts. Zanzibar port manages up to 50,000 TEU per year, vital for island trade. These ports are strategically important for regional connectivity but are much smaller in capacity compared to Dar es Salaam.

Facilities & Infrastructure

All Other Tanzania Ports, managed by the Tanzania Ports Authority, include Tanga and Mtwara on the coast, plus numerous lake ports like Kigoma, Kasanga, Bukoba, and Musoma. Key facilities feature general cargo and container terminals, grain silos, oil jetties, and roll-on/roll-off ramps. Equipment includes mobile cranes, reach stackers, forklifts, trailers, and tugboats. These ports handle bulk, breakbulk, liquid, and containerized cargo, supporting regional and cross-border trade. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are not widely reported in these secondary ports.

Container Terminals

Other Tanzania container terminals outside Dar es Salaam include Tanga, Mtwara, and several dry ports. Tanga and Mtwara ports have 2-3 berths each, with container handling capacities below 100,000 TEU annually. Automation is limited, with mostly manual operations and basic equipment. Major operators are the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and private partners. Inland container depots like Ubungo and Kwala offer additional capacity, supporting regional trade and decongesting main ports.

Port Services

• Container handling: Loading, unloading, stuffing, unstuffing, and storage of containers.
• Cargo operations: Handling of dry bulk, break bulk, liquid bulk, and general cargo including vehicles, grains, minerals, and machinery.
• Ship services: Berthing, pilotage, towage, bunkering, and fresh water supply.
• Warehousing: Short-term and long-term storage for various cargo types, including bonded and transit warehousing.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance, documentation processing, and regulatory compliance support.

Global Connectivity

All Other Tanzania Ports, including Tanga, Mtwara, Zanzibar, Lindi, Kilwa, Mafia, Pangani, and Bagamoyo, serve coastal and island regions beyond Dar es Salaam. These ports connect northern, southern, and offshore areas, supporting trade for regions such as Kilimanjaro, Manyara, and Zanzibar. They link Tanzania to regional markets in East and Central Africa and offer shipping routes to the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, complementing the country’s main maritime gateways.

Port Statistics

All Other Tanzania Ports (excluding Dar es Salaam) handle an estimated annual throughput of approximately 100,000–150,000 TEUs. These ports do not feature in the world’s top 100 container port rankings. Collectively, they offer around 15–20 berths and cover a combined area of roughly 100–150 hectares. Major international shipping lines calling at these ports include Maersk, CMA CGM, and MSC. Facilities primarily support regional and coastal trade.