Dar es Salaam. Three of the world’s leading metal giants have expressed interest in using the Dar es Salaam Port as a hub for African trade, citing improved efficiency and productivity at Tanzania’s main sea gateway.
The companies—China Metal Storage and Transport Company (CMST), Mercuria, and their jointly owned subsidiary, Henry Bath & Son Ltd—visited Tanzania at the invitation of DP World and the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to explore potential partnerships.
The TPA’s Acting Deputy Director-General, Dr Baraka Mdima, detailed the delegation to Dar es Salaam and highlighted the port’s potential.
“We hope that your discussions with DP World will be successful. Our terminal operator is performing well, so we expect you to receive all the services you need,” said Dr Mdima.
Speaking during a media briefing at the weekend, DP World Tanzania’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Martin Jacob, said the visit underscores Dar es Salaam Port’s growing significance in global trade.
He noted that the companies’ interest would benefit the port and its stakeholders by enhancing the logistics chain—not only within Tanzania but also for landlocked countries and consumers across the region.
“This is a clear indication of the confidence the global market has in DP World’s operations at Dar es Salaam Port,” he said.
CMST is a global leader in metal storage, while Mercuria is among the top five global metal trading companies, with an annual turnover exceeding $180 billion and operations spanning five continents—although Africa remains an untapped market for them.
Their London-based subsidiary, Henry Bath & Son Ltd, has a solid track record, including active participation in the London Metals Exchange (LME). The companies now plan to expand into Africa, with Dar es Salaam Port at the centre of their strategy.
Tanzania’s growing appeal as an investment destination has fostered strategic partnerships such as this.
For CMST, this marks its first venture into the African market, where it aims to provide globally tested solutions for mineral trading.
To realise this vision, specialised structures will be required, particularly for mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to mitigate loading and documentation delays.
CMST currently manages a significant volume of metal trade in China, handling all major minerals for metal production.
Mercuria, having re-entered the metals market in August 2024, is keen to expand in Africa as a key source of raw materials, with China as the primary market.
“With our re-entry into the metals market, this strategic partnership will help us expand our footprint in Africa,” said Mercuria’s Head of Metals and Minerals for Africa, Mr Leo D’Offay. For CMST, Dar es Salaam Port represents a gateway to its African ambitions.
“This is our next strategic location. We currently have no presence here, but we see Dar es Salaam Port as a key hub with growing trade volumes,” said CMST President Mr Wang Haibin.
Henry Bath & Son Ltd’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Waszkis, expressed optimism about opportunities in Africa.
“We are here to meet key players and explore the best ways to enter this market, particularly in shipping and infrastructure. Dar es Salaam is well-positioned in Sub-Saharan Africa, and we need to be here,” he said.
As these global metal giants consider expansion into Africa, Dar es Salaam Port’s role as a vital trade hub is set to grow, reinforcing Tanzania’s position in the continent’s economic future.
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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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