Dar es Salaam. The commencement of operations by DP World at Dar es Salaam Port is projected to save the Tanzanian economy approximately $600 million (Sh1.62 trillion) by eliminating container demurrage charges.
Previously, a fee of $1,000 was charged for each container delayed at the port.
With the new changes, this fee has been removed, significantly reducing costs for shipping operations.
The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Director General, Mr Plasduce Mbossa, said on Tuesday August 20 that ships arriving at Dar es Salaam were previously subject to peak season charges of $1,000 per container due to prolonged waiting times for cargo unloading.
However, this fee has now been eliminated.
“Currently, the waiting time for ships has decreased. As a result, the $1,000 fee has been removed. For example, instead of paying $4,500 for a container, you now pay $3,500,” said Mbossa.
Mbossa noted that MSC was the first shipping company to remove the fees, bringing shipping costs at Dar es Salaam in line with those at Mombasa Port.
This move has pressured other shipping companies to follow suit.
“Annually, we handle 1.2 million containers. Removing the $1,000 fee for the remaining half of the year will save the country significant amounts. Previously, you had to purchase dollars from foreign exchange bureaus to pay shipping companies, but now these savings can be redirected,” Mbossa added.
He further explained that the waiting period for ships has reduced from 28 days to 10 days.
Container ships now dock at the port for one to three days, depending on the cargo, representing a major improvement in service delivery at Dar es Salaam Port.
Mr Mbossa said the achievements strengthen Tanzania’s position as a commercial hub in East and Central Africa and reflect President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to managing national resources for the benefit of Tanzanians.
Since DP World began operations in May, TPA has reported several successes, including reduced waiting times for ships, improved turnaround times, and significant cost reductions.
Crane operations have also been optimised, leading to increased productivity from May to July 2024, with the port handling its largest container ships to date.
The improved efficiency has enhanced Dar es Salaam Port’s competitiveness, aligning it with Mombasa in cargo handling capabilities.
According to the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), DP World has made substantial changes, enhancing port efficiency and better controlling port areas.
“Port area control has allowed workers to focus on their tasks, saving time. We have observed an increase in cargo handling machinery, with everyone now dedicated to their roles. Dar es Salaam Port is on track to become one of the best ports globally,” their feedback report stated.
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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