THE Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and several regulatory authorities have signed an operational framework agreement with a range of private sector stakeholders for the use of Kwala dry port at Kibaha, Coast Region.

Plasduce Mbossa, the TPA director general, said after the signing in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the pact outlines procedures for operation, transfer, storage and transportation of cargo from Dar es Salaam port to Kwala dry port.

A range of government institutions and private sector stakeholders now involved at Dar port will participate in that arrangement, he said at the press conference, affirming that the dry format was initiated on account of considerable increase in cargo volumes at Dar port.

This situation arose from growing transit trade that was boosted by major infrastructure improvements by the government and private investors, he stated, pointing at strategic partnership with investors such as DP World and the Tanzania East Africa Gateway Terminal Ltd (TEAGTL), a firm linked with multinational port operating firms like Adani Group of India, transforming Dar port with a substantial increase in clients from neighbouring countries.

The dry port will receive cargo transported from the main port via the old meter-gauge railway which has been revamped and tested, while cargo for the standard gauge railway (SGR) will also be loaded from that point to ease congestion at the main port, he specified.

“We have already commenced operations at Kwala dry port, with two cargo trips dispatched there daily. All logistics stakeholders are already relocating to the site and are working to upgrade their cargo transport systems,” he said.

The dry port occupies a large area, with five hectares already developed in the first phase, with construction moving into the second phase, as the new facility will have capacity to store 3,500 containers at a time.

Machibya Masanja, the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) director general, said that as one among key stakeholders in passenger and cargo transportation, the railway operator is fully committed to ensuring the success of the cargo loading transfer to the new facility.

 “We fully support these efforts to grow the national economy and reduce congestion at the Dar es Salaam Port and within the city,” he said, while Mohamed Salum, his counterpart at the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) affirmed that stance.

He said that transferring cargo loading to Kwala presents a unique opportunity for business operators as it offers easier access to shipped merchandise, which in turn promises to enhance government revenues.

He urged institutions forming part of that agreement to diligently fulfill their responsibilities, expressing confidence that no hiccups are likely to arise in implementing this arrangement as all concerned agencies involved are already performing effectively.

Laksiri Nonis, the TEAGTL chief operating officer, expressed satisfaction in being part of the agreement, confirming the company’s readiness for operational changes.

 “As investors, we have every reason to commend the government for these initiatives, which will open up this port to international markets and increase its competitiveness compared to ports in neighboring countries,” he said.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan is tomorrow expected to launch the dry port project and inaugurate high-speed freight train service for transporting containerized cargo to the capital, Dodoma, the port CEO noted.