Port Overview

The Port of Tanga is the second largest port in Tanzania and is a vital part to the regional and national development and economy. Tanga port is situated on the northern coast of Tanzania near the Kenya border. It is one of the three main Tanzanian ports managed by the TPA. The Port of Tanga was built in 1914 initially to serve the commercial and agricultural needs of northern Tanzania. In 1954 the original lighterage quay of 190 meters was extended to 381 meters with a capacity of 500,000 tons per annum.

The port has a deep water natural access channel of 6 meters. The channel has not been dredged for some years but there are plans to do so. Deep-sea ships and coasters must anchor at river channel. Safe anchorage for seven oceangoing vessels of up to 21.3 meters length and draught from 6.4 to 9.45 meters. The anchorage with a depth of over 9.45 meters is possible in the outer harbor for vessels. The port has unused multipurpose jetty, 12 anchorage berths and a lighterage quay of 3.8 meters draught for local craft. Maximum alongside draught is 11.0 meters. There is a tanker berth with a maximum draught of 4.1 meters and a submarine pipeline to discharge fuel oil. (TPA Handbook, 2016)

Key port information can also be found at:

Website of the Maritime Database on Port of Tanga

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

The port of Tanga has many operating companies which include shipping companies, clearing and forwarding companies and transportation companies such as CMA-CGM, Diamond Shipping, African Shipping, Mohamed Enterprises, Tanzania Coffee Board, Euro Africa Freight Ltd, Hardmack logistics Ltd etc. These companies provide important logistics services at the Port. They also are important customers of the port and facilitate freight operations. Majority of these company offices are located within the port premises at TPA house.  

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Tanzania Port and Waterways Company Contact List

Port Performance

The port has a minimum channel draft of 17 meters with overall length of 210 meters with berth draft of 4 meters maximum. The pilotage is limited to daylight hours. Other main challenge of is the occurrence of strong winds which may lead to suspend operations. The port does not experience congestion: the ships berth on arrival and it can take maximum 24 hours. The cargo traffic includes both container and bulk.

Safe anchorage for seven oceangoing vessels of up to 21.3 meters length and draught from 6.4 to 9.45 meters. The port has unused multipurpose jetty, 12 anchorage berths and a lighterage quay of 3.8 meters draught for local craft. There is a tanker berth with a maximum draught of 4.1 meters and a submarine pipeline to discharge fuel oil. (TPA Handbook, 2016)

Discharge rates is 50 TEUS and 20 FEUs per day.

Wharfage fees is 1.6% CIF value for domestic and 1.25% CIF value for transit applied to import cargoes. Handling charges is USD 6 per HT for transit cargo and USD 7 per HT for domestic dry breakbulk cargoes (TPA Tariff book, 2013).

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

The handling equipment is managed and maintained by TPA. The port has 2 mobile cranes of 63 tons each, 4 terminal tractors (40 tons each), 4 reach-stackers (45 tons), 7 fork-lifts trucks, one empty container handler and 27 trailers (20 TEU and 40 FEU).

(LCA Survey Data, 2017)

Container Facilities

The port has few container facilities for both 20 TEUs and FEUs with respective daily take off capacity of 50 containers and 20 containers. There is no reefer station but 2 plugs in facilities are commonly used

Customs Guidance

The main activities at the port include tax collection as well as monitoring and control of unauthorized cargo entries. The volumes of cargo at the port is not high which also allows quick custom clearance completion. The customs offices are located nearby the port areas at TPA House operating at 24/7. The customs clearance process is done electronically through TANCIS.

For more information on customs in Tanzania, please see the following link: 1.3 Tanzania Customs Information  

Terminal Information

Main Storage Terminal

The port has unused multipurpose Jetty, 12 anchorage berths and a lighterage quay of 3.8 meter draught for local craft. There are no available RoRo facilities exist at the port.

Grain and Bulk Handling

N/A

Main Storage Terminal

There are 3 sheds of 68,411 m² with open storage space of 34,692 m² and stacking space for 4,300 TEUs.

Stevedoring

Stevedoring activities comprise loading and offloading, trimming, shifting and restoring. These activities are provided by the port themselves on a 24-hour basis. The stevedoring cost ranges from USD 5.5 to 9.

Hinterland Information

The Hinterland activities are mainly done by rail and roads.

Port Security

Security is provided by the port auxiliary police assisted by the private company under the National service in all ports. The ports are also secured by the national police. Safety matters are arranged and done by the department of Fire, Safety, Health and Environment.