Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) officially launched its Country Office in Harare, Zimbabwe as a means of extending its commitment to better serve esteemed Customers.
The offices are located at Unit 16, Thompson Office Block, 17 Phillips Avenue, Belgravia, Harare. Through the Office, the great role of marketing the Tanzanian ports is done by offering reliable information on the Facilities and Services offered, specifically at Dar es Salaam Port.
TPA performs the role of both a Landlord and Operator with the main functions of promoting the use , development and management of ports and their hinterlands and entering into contracts for the purpose of delegating the powers of the Authority to private operators.
TPA operates a system of ports serving the Tanzania hinterland and the landlocked countries of Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Uganda, Comoro and Zimbabwe.
The opening of an office in Zimbabwe will ensure customers access updated information on new and ongoing projects, systems and equipment from time to time.
The business between Tanzania and Zimbabwe is fast growing, where the volume of transit cars from Japan and European Countries to Zimbabwe through the Dar es Salaam Port has been rising quite impressively.
During the 2020/2021 financial year, total units of cars were 14,946, while for the 2021/2022 fiscal year, total units of cars were 46,519. This number will be more impressive for the 2023/2024 financial year.
The opening up of the TPA Country Office in Zimbabwe, cements the dedication by the Government of Tanzania to ensure and encourage the business community to continue using the TPA services and take advantage of this wider market to expand their businesses.
TPA Zimbabwe Office will also assist the Clients with follow up on all requests lodged by Customers and ensure timely provision of feedback as well as provision of adequate information on the List of Vehicles due to being Auctioned for overstaying. The aim is to inform and remind our customers of the necessity to fast-track payment of port charges so as to prevent the vehicle auctioning.
TPA is vested with the mandate to manage ports and promote excelling total logistical services in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
Their mainstay objective is to enhance the advantages of the geographical position of Tanzania as a maritime Nation.
Dar es Salaam Port is strategically placed to serve as a convenient freight linkage for imports and exports to and from East, Central and Southern Africa countries; most specifically Zambia, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda and of course, Zimbabwe.
Another vital role of the Office is to provide recommendations on credible Clearing and Forwarding Agents. Additionally, the Office will act as a link to all other related Port Stakeholders for seamless cargo flow to Zimbabwe Customers.
Other tasks performed by the Office includes the provision of necessary information with regards to Cargo imported to Zimbabwe through Dar es Salaam Port including vessel arrival dates, providing real time solution finding on any challenges that may arise during the cargo clearance process so as to eliminate the need for customers to physically travel to Dar es Salaam, hence minimizing the overall cost of trade.
It will also support in the verification of port charges prior to payment finalization, provision of a step-to-step import and exportation process at the Port for logistical arrangements and planning, follow up on claims lodged by Customers for damages that may occasion at the Port and ensure urgent compensation is provided.
TPA shall keep on building good business relations for our traders and facilitate them with all necessary support so as to ensure that they achieve their business plans and see the return on their investments. With the maximum and timely cooperation with all stakeholders, we shall do all it takes for them to realize the potential of using Tanzanian ports, especially the principal Port of Dar es Dar es Salaam as their Port of Choice.
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, under the Leadership of Her Excellency President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, is keen to enhance better port efficiency and provide friendly cost of doing business in Tanzania. In order to achieve that, several measures are being implemented. These include encouraging the Private Sector to work with the Government through PPP and looking for Local and International partners who can complement our ongoing efforts in solving the big problem of poor road network between our countries.
We are all aware of the impediments faced by the Zimbabwean port users, mainly caused by the lengthy distance of about 2,284 Kms from Dar es Salaam to Harare. We all know that Zimbabwe port users have been encountering challenges with poor road facilities in Zambia, lengthy transit time and challenges in effecting payment of port charges. The Tanzanian Government is ready to work together with the Zimbabwean Government and all other stakeholders to ensure that we reduce and eliminate those impediments.
They are also continuing with efforts through internal financing or private investors to facilitate the establishment of a Dry Port close to the Tanzania – Zambia Border so as to reduce the Transit Time, whereby cargo collection can be done at the Dry Port instead of traveling all the way to Dar es Salaam. Discussion is also ongoing with Tanzanian Banks to integrate their systems with Zimbabwean Banks so as to mitigate the existing challenge on payment of port charges.
The development of the port sector in Tanzania has influenced the existence, access and quality of other modes of transportation, notably roads and railways. These modes of transport are the prerequisite links between transportation corridors and ports or gateways of maritime transportation.
The Government of Tanzania believes that port infrastructure, productivity and efficiencies are key pillars of ensuring businesses within and between our countries are enhanced and the real meaning of trade facilitation which is translated into greater growth synergies that transform peoples’ lives.
