VARIOUS stakeholders and users of port services have expressed satisfaction with the quality of services and performance of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), stating that the authority has met its customers' expectations and achieved its set goals.

Speaking at the culmination of Customer Service Week in Dar es Salaam yesterday, stakeholder Hassini Norana praised the sixth-phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for approving investments in the Port of Dar es Salaam.

“Port services have significantly improved alongside great efficiency. I commend TPA for making substantial improvements,” said Norana, urging TPA to continue promoting its ports.

A Dry Port stakeholder, Deogratius Chacha, praised the efficiency and operations at the Port of Dar es Salaam and commended the management of the authority for the significant improvements made.

“The substantial investment made in the Port of Dar es Salaam and those located on the lakes is clear evidence that TPA is well-prepared to bring about major transformations in its ports,” he stated.

Dr George Fasha, TPA's director of marketing and public relations, thanked stakeholders and all users of the ports for their continued trust and use of the ports available in the country.

“I acknowledge that TPA highly values your contributions as they are one of the catalysts driving the development of the authority and the nation as a whole,” he said, adding that TPA has made significant and modern improvements in all its ports.

Dr Fasha mentioned that TPA has serviced 4,487 vessels in the 2023/2024 period, with a total cargo of 27.6 million tonnes, including 1.1 million containers handled at both terminals, along with the Ports of Tanga and Mtwara.

“Alongside that, the authority is still directing its efforts toward improving the infrastructure of all ports to meet the changing market needs and rapidly growing competition from competing ports,” he said.

Dr Fasha noted that various improvements are still ongoing, including the construction of a 450-meter berth at the Port of Tanga at a total cost of 429.1bn/- to eliminate the issue of ‘double handling’ and also reduce congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam.

He also indicated to customers that TPA has comprehensive plans and strategies to begin constructing infrastructure for receiving and storing fuel to reduce the service time for vessels from 8 to 10 days down to 3 days for vessels with a capacity of 150,000 DWT and to lower the costs of vessel delays.

“The construction of Berths 12 to 15 at the Port of Dar es Salaam aims to address shortages and accommodate the increasing number of vessels and cargo. These berths will have the capacity to handle 1,350,000 containers per year, equivalent to 31.05 million tons,” he added.