The Dar es Salaam port is beginning to show early signs of improvement in efficiency, just a few weeks after global ports giant DP World began operating some of the berths at the port.

“STS (ship to shore cranes) are now operating for the first time at the Dar es Salaam port after DP World moved mega generators into the terminal to power the cranes,” a maritime industry official told Tanzania Business Insight (TBI).

“They completed the first sulphur vessel at a record speed of just four days. This is the first time in the history of the Dar es Salaam Port.”

The modernisation of the port infrastructure by DP World will enable the longest vessel to dock in the Port of Dar es Salaam for the very first time in history.

The arrival of the vessel opens a new chapter for the Dar es Salaam Port.

DP World leveraged it’s world-class experience in improving port performance.

Apart from modernizing cargo handling equipment, the company is also implementing global and national health and safety regulations in the Port of Dar es Salaam.

As testimony of its efficiency, DP World last month received a letter of appreciation from the Dar es Salaam-based Neelkanth Salt company for “exceptional service.”

“We, at Neelkanth Salt Limited, would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding coordination and support provided by your team (DP World) during the discharge of our vessel, Mv Omega-S, which carried a significant cargo of 49,000 metric tonnes of salt,” Neelkanth said in a letter to DP World dated May 15.

“Your professionalism and efficiency ensured the smooth handling of the salt. Despite facing challenges such as regional internet outages, your team went above and beyond to facilitate our operations, allowing us to continue the discharge process seamlessly.”

DP World signed a 30-year concession agreement last year with the state-run Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to operate and modernize part of the Dar es Salaam port.

The Dubai-based ports giant said it will invest up to $1 billion in the Dar es Salaam Port upgrade during the concession period, alongside hinterland logistics projects.

DP World will initially invest more than $250 million in the first phase of a multi-phase investment plan.

DP World has assumed a lease and operational role for four out of the 12 berths at Tanzania’s largest port.

The port of Dar es Salaam plays a crucial role in serving the economies of at least 8 African nations — Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, Uganda, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The Tanzanian government hopes that DP World will bring world-class efficiency to the Dar es Salaam port and significantly boost cargo volumes and revenues for the country.

The early signs of improvement of efficiency shown by DP World at the Dar es Salaam port indicate that the government’s move to bring in the private operator at the port could be a game changer for the economy of Tanzania and it’s land-linked neighbours.