According to logistics experts, it is vital for Tanzania to facilitate an expansion of the Dar es Salaam port so that they can compete with ports such as Mombasa and Beira. They have further advised the government to have the country’s infrastructure improved and upgraded to smoothen logistical activities of Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and other general use.

Bollore’s Africa Logistics managing director for East Africa Tony Stenning told The Citizen on Saturday that landlocked countries are turning to the Mombasa port in Kenya and the Beira port in Mozambique. The reason that the Dar es Salaam port is behind these ports is because there is not enough space to operate due to a large amount of uncleared cargo.

“The port needs to be expanded, if you ask me where the competition is, I would tell you that Beira and the port of Mombasa are now capitalising on that,” said Mr Stenning.

Mr Stenning also noted that Tanzania was an ideal place for logistical business which means that the port’s expansion is inevitable should it wish to thrive in the industry.

“Initially we had a problem of lack of sufficient equipment and sphere, but you need to know that the process of clearing a container is quite challenging, we have only managed to overcome that by allocating $5 million (Sh 80 billion),” he added.For his part, Mr Regis Tissier, Bollore’s country managing director noted that his firm had an investment of close to $15 million, in the last ten years.

“We have had a long history in the country having first set foot 82 years ago, and sincerely Tanzania has proven to be one of the best market places as far as we are located,” added the country director.