President Samia Suluhu Hassan has laid the foundation stone for the construction of a major oil receiving and storage facility at the Port of Dar es Salaam in Kigamboni, marking a significant milestone in Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen energy infrastructure and maritime trade capacity.
The project involves the construction of an oil receiving facility and 15 oil storage tanks, forming part of the government’s broader strategy to expand and modernise the port and reinforce its position as a key trade gateway for Tanzania and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Minister for Transport, Makame Mbarawa, said the initiative also includes the construction of Berth Number One, a 500-metre facility capable of accommodating two vessels simultaneously, each with an estimated carrying capacity of about 50,000 tonnes.
According to the Minister, the ongoing upgrades are designed to increase cargo handling capacity, reduce vessel congestion, and enhance the competitiveness of the Dar es Salaam Port within regional and international shipping networks.
He disclosed that between July and December last year, the port handled approximately 19.99 million tonnes of cargo within a six-month period. The government now aims to increase cargo handling capacity to 40 million tonnes by the end of the 2025/2026 financial year, a move expected to improve operational efficiency and boost Tanzania’s economic growth.
The oil storage development is expected to strengthen fuel supply security, support regional petroleum trade, and further position the Port of Dar es Salaam as one of East Africa’s leading maritime and energy logistics hubs.