The Tanga port’s management has recently announced that the cargo handled during the fiscal year 2015/2016 is expected to reach 1.09 million gross registered tonnes (GRT), representing a growth of  36% from 0.81 million GRT handled in the fiscal year 2014/2015.

The announcement was done by Tanga Port Master, Mr. Henry Alika, whom in an interview with The Citizen explained that the growth in cargo handling has been supported by the last government’s decision to use it to offload petroleum imported products under the Bulk Procurement System (BPS) that has also helped to decongest the Port of Dar es Salaam.

The total volume expected to be reached by June, 2016, is over 150% of the port’s design capacity.

However, the expected construction of the oil pipeline from Lake Albert in Uganda to the port should increase even further the cargo traffic volume to be handled, Mr. Alika added.

Despite the large volumes, it will have a positive impact in Tanga region’s economy since recent improvements such as the acquisition of three new barges and tarpaulins have improved not only operations but also increased the variety of products that can be handled at the port, Mr. Alika stressed.

The three new barges represented a total investment of USD 10 million and currently TZS 9.2 billion -USD 4.2 million- have been put aside for further improvements at the Tanga port’s quay number two according to Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

The attention that has been turned to Tanga port to improve its operation and infrastructure is part of the Tanzanian government’s efforts to reduce dependency on the main port of Dar es Salaam to control on a better way risks associated with the supply of petroleum products to the country.

Tanga is the second most important port in Tanzania with a capacity of 0.75 million GRT after Dar es Salaam with a capacity of 10.1 million GRT and ahead of Mtwara with a capacity of 0.4 million GRT according to TPA.