The volume of cargo handled at major sea and lake ports in Tanzania increased by 26 per cent to 6.5 million tonnes in the first quarter of this year from 5.1 million tonnes recorded during a similar period last year, according to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), Consolidated Zonal Economic Performance Report for the quarter ending March 2023.

The volumes of cargo handled increased in all ports except for Mwanza and Lindi.

According to the report, the volume of cargo handled at Dar es Salaam port rose to 5.5 million tonnes during the first quarter of this year from 4.6 million tonnes recorded during a similar period last year.

Alternatively, the volume of cargo handled by Tanga Port also rose to 256,115 tonnes in the first quarter of this year from 238,871 recorded during a similar period last year.

“The increase at Mtwara port was mainly on account of increase in exports of coal and cement, while at Dar es Salaam and Tanga, ports were due to improved port infrastructure,” the report shows.

For Kigoma, the performance resulted from increased imports of clothes, logs and timber.

Airports Performance

Airport operations in most of the zones across Tanzania continued to improve, as reflected by an increase in domestic flights, volume of cargo handled and number of passengers.

The number of international and domestic flights increased by 12.2 per cent and 11.3 per cent, respectively.

“The volume of cargo also increased to 8,443.6 tonnes from 7,499.3 tonnes. This outturn was mainly on account of recovery of economic activities,” the Central Bank report shows