TANGA port has raised 49.844bn/- in revenue from July 2024 to January 2025, a significant increase of 11.143bn/- compared to the same period in 2023/24 financial year.

Masoud Mrisha, manager of Tanga port, said this here yesterday, attributing the revenue boost to substantial investments made by the government when speaking to reporters who visited the Tanzania’s northern harbour.

He said that from 2019 to 2023, the port’s revenue grew from 17.233bn/- to 38.701bn/-, an increase of 17.682bn/-. The growth came after investment of 429.1bn/- to overhaul the port, executed by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

The expansion, which upgraded the entrance channel, procured  new machinery, built   ICT centre   and installed   power substation, increased the port’s cargo handling capacity from 750,000 tonnes to 3,000,000 tonnes.

“Before the expansion in 2019, the port handled 470,611 tonnes. By 2023/24, this had risen to 1,191,480 tonnes, an increase of 720,869 tonnes,”   Mrisha said.

According to him, the port’s ability to accommodate vessels had also improved, with the number of ships served annually rising from 118 to over 307.

He said that the expansion eliminated several nuisance taxes such as the $1.3 per tonne charge, further enhancing the port’s competitiveness.

As a result, the port had attracted major shipping lines, including Seafront Shipping Services Limited, which now transports cargo directly from China to Tanga.

The port collaborates with over 200 registered clearing and forwarding companies, up from 29 before the expansion. The growth has created jobs for at least 17,871 local workers, benefiting   Tanga community.

“We’re pleased with the positive impact on local employment,” Mrisha said, thanking the government for supporting the port’s transformation. The port is now ready to accommodate more ships from other major shipping companies.