Tanzania, United Republic of
2.1.2 Tanzania Port of Mtwara
Home

Port Overview

Mtwara port is one of the three major ports managed by Tanzania Ports Authority, located 578 kilometers south of the Commercial city of Dar es Salaam. The harbor at the Port of Mtwara was deepened in the year between 1948-1954. The railway line was built to connect the port, as part of the Tanganyika groundnut scheme. Due to the failure of the scheme the port immediately lost value and the railway line was removed. The port was functional but underutilized for many years due to poor transport infrastructure. In the years of 2010-2011 the increased activity in oil and gas exploration activity caused a surge on operations of this port. 

The port is one of the key components of the Mtwara Development Corridor project, which aims to develop the commercial exchange between Tanzania and its southern neighboring countries: Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The project includes an improvement of the road networks, port infrastructures and ease the border crossings process by implanting One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the main entry points.

Port website:  https://www.ports.go.tz/index.php/en/ports/mtwara

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Location and Contact

Country

Tanzania

Province or District

Mtwara Region

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port

Mtwara

Port's Complete Name

The Port of Mtwara

Latitude

-10.26833333

Longitude

40.19777778

Managing Company or Port Authority

TPA

Management Contact Person

The Port Master, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)
P.O Box 530
Mtwara
Tel. +255 (23) 2333125
Fax +255 (23) 2333153
Email: pmmtwara@ports.go.tz
Website: www.ports.go.tz

Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures

Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam)

Port Picture

Quay of 385 length, which could accommodate 2 ships.

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

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

Port Performance

Mtwara Port can handle 400,000 MT of imports and exports per annum. The port is mainly designed to handle conventional cargo. That said, Mtwara Port attracts investors over the last years. TPA evaluates that the port could handle up to 750,000 MT with the same number of berths but if additional equipment are put in place for handling containerized traffic. (TPA, 2017)

Seasonal Constraints


Occurs

Time Frame

Rainy Season

n/a


Major Import Campaigns

n/a


Handling Figures for 2018

Vessel Calls

n/a

Container Traffic (TEUs)

No

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2018

Bulk (MT)

400,000 MT

Break bulk (MT)


Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link:  https://www.ports.go.tz/index.php/en/tariff-bookThe rates applied at the port are established by TPA.

Berthing Specifications

Type of Berth

Quantity

Length

(m)

Maximum

Draft (m)

Comments

Conventional Berth

1

385 m

9.85 m

Can accommodate 2 ships and one coastal vessel

Container Berth

n/a




Silo Berth

n/a




Berthing Tugs

1




Water Barges

n/a





The port has a quay wall of 385 meters which can accommodate two ships and one coastal vessel at a time. The draught is 9.85 meters and with the introduction of new and more reliable solar powered navigational aids, the port will be accessible to ships during 24 hours. (MCJURO, 2017)

General Cargo Handling Berths

Cargo Type

Berth Identification

Imports - Bagged Cargo

n/a

Exports - Bagged Cargo

n/a

Imports and Exports - RoRo

No

Other Imports


Port Handling Equipment

The port equipment is managed by the government through TPA.

Equipment

Available

Total Quantity and Capacity Available

Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage

Dockside Crane

n/a



Container Gantries

n/a



Mobile Cranes

Yes

3

1 x 25 MT, 1 x 50 MT and 1 x Mobile Harbour Crane of 100 MT

Reach stacker

Yes

2

2 x 45 MT each

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)

n/a



Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines

n/a



Transtainer

n/a



Forklifts

Yes

8

3 MT, 5 MT and 16 MT

Cargo handling equipment include 1 Mobile Harbour Crane 100 MT, 2 Reach Stacker 45 MT each, 1 Front Loader 42 MT, 2 Mobile Cranes 50 and 25 MT, 3 Empty Handler, 8 forklifts 16 MT, 5 MT and 3 MT, 6 Terminal Tractors, 2 Hoppers and 4 Grabs. Marine crafts available at the Port are 1 Tug Boat and 1 Mooring Boat. Mtwara Port is well equipped and prepared to handle all categories of cargo. They are working for 24 hours seven days of the week. (TPA, 2017)

Container Facilities

Facilities

20 ft

40 ft

Container Facilities Available

Yes

Yes

Container Freight Station (CFS)

n/a

n/a

Refrigerated Container Stations

n/a

n/a

Other Capacity Details

n/a

n/a

Daily Take Off Capacity
(Containers per Day)

20 TEUs depending on transport

n/a

Number of Reefer Stations
(Connection Points)

n/a

n/a

Emergency Take-off Capacity

n/a

n/a

Off take Capacity of Gang Shift
(Containers per Shift)

n/a

n/a

Customs Guidance

The customs process is usually done within 48 hours, if the documents are ready. The Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) is responsible of the custom regulation. The customs clearance office is located in the port area and the working hours are the same as the other administrative activities of port authority.

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

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal 

n/a

Grain and Bulk Handling 

n/a

Main Storage Terminal 

There are four transit sheds with a total storage capacity of about 15,000 tons.

Available Storage at the terminal:

  • Covered: One shed 2,500 m3
  • Open air: 93,750 m3


Storage Type

Number of Storage Facilities

Area (m2)

Bagged Cargo

n/a


Refrigerated Cargo

n/a


General Cargo

4


Stevedoring

Stevedoring activities are provided by TPA and mainly include the wharfage and the lifting of the containers.

Hinterland Information

n/a

Port Security

Security

ISPS Compliant

Yes

Current ISPS Level
(Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional)

1

Police Boats

No

Fire Engines

No

Jump to top