Dar es Salaam Port Strengthens Tanzania’s Role as a Gateway to East African Trade

The Port of Dar es Salaam is strengthening its position as a major maritime gateway for Tanzania and East and Central Africa as investments in port infrastructure, modern equipment and cargo-handling operations improve efficiency.

According to the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s principal port and handles around 95% of the country’s international trade. It also serves landlocked markets including Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Cargo Throughput Reaches a Record Level

One of the clearest indicators of the port’s development is the increase in cargo handled.

According to a September 2026 report, cargo throughput at Dar es Salaam Port reached a record 33.7 million tonnes during the 2025/26 financial year.

Port authorities attributed the growth to investments in modern technology, infrastructure upgrades and improvements in cargo handling and clearance operations.

The increase comes as Tanzania continues to expand trade with neighbouring countries and strengthen Dar es Salaam’s role as a regional logistics gateway.

Vessel Discharge Time Falls by More Than 90%

A major improvement at the port has been the reduction in cargo discharge time.

DP World reported that discharge time for comparable cargo at its Dar es Salaam terminal has fallen from more than 300 hours to less than 28 hours, representing a reduction of more than 90%.

The improvement has been supported by operational changes, modern equipment and the adoption of modern roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) operations.

Shorter cargo-handling times can help reduce delays and improve supply-chain efficiency for traders and cargo owners.

A More Competitive Maritime Gateway

Improved vessel handling is also increasing the attractiveness of Dar es Salaam Port for shipping activity.

Tanzania’s transport authorities reported in September 2026 that modern equipment and faster vessel services had contributed to increased interest from vessels calling at the port. Officials also stressed that cargo must be cleared and moved out of the port efficiently to sustain these gains.

This highlights the importance of integrating port operations with customs, road transport, railways, warehouses and distribution centres.

Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Programme

The Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Programme (DMGP) is a major component of the port’s modernization.

The programme aims to improve port efficiency, upgrade maritime infrastructure and allow the port to accommodate larger vessels.

According to the official DMGP, the port now has 12 deeper berths, while the programme aims to increase its capacity from approximately 16 million tonnes before the project to 28 million tonnes by 2027.

The project is also important for landlocked countries that rely on the Dar es Salaam corridor for access to international markets.

Why Dar es Salaam Port Matters to East Africa

Dar es Salaam’s geographical position gives it an important role in regional trade.

Located on the Indian Ocean, the port connects Tanzania with international maritime routes while road and rail corridors link it with inland markets across East and Central Africa.

This makes Dar es Salaam more than a national import and export facility. It is also a key component of a regional trade corridor.

The port serves markets including:

• Zambia
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Rwanda
• Burundi
• Malawi
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe

through Tanzania’s transport and logistics networks.

Rail Connectivity and Regional Trade

The impact of port investment depends heavily on efficient connections to inland markets.

Railway systems such as TAZARA and Tanzania’s SGR network can support the movement of containers and bulk cargo between the port, inland regions and neighbouring countries.

Adani Ports’ 2025/26 operational report also noted the commencement of on-dock TAZARA rail operations for container movement and new services linking Dar es Salaam with the Indian subcontinent.

The integration of ports, railways and road networks is therefore an important element in strengthening East African trade corridors.

Business and Investment Opportunities

The modernization of Dar es Salaam Port can create opportunities across the wider logistics and supply-chain ecosystem.

Potential areas include:

• Port equipment
• Cargo-handling machinery
• Container-handling systems
• Port management technologies
• Logistics software
• Warehousing
• Distribution centres
• Railway logistics
• Road freight
• Supply-chain services
• Cold-chain infrastructure
• Customs and clearance services
• Export packaging

For international companies, including Iranian businesses, Tanzania’s port development can be examined from the perspective of market access, logistics efficiency, equipment exports and regional distribution.

Opportunities for Iranian Exporters

For Iranian companies seeking access to Tanzania and East African markets, understanding maritime logistics is an important part of market-entry planning.

Dar es Salaam can be evaluated as a potential maritime gateway for shipments destined for Tanzania and selected landlocked markets in East and Central Africa.

Potential product categories include:

• Industrial machinery
• Agricultural equipment
• Construction materials
• Petrochemical products
• Industrial raw materials
• Food-processing equipment
• Packaging machinery
• Consumer products

The most appropriate logistics route depends on the product, origin, destination, shipment volume, contract terms, tariffs and port and inland transportation costs.

Dar es Salaam Port and Tanzania’s Trade Outlook

The combination of increased cargo throughput, faster vessel handling and continued infrastructure investment is strengthening Dar es Salaam’s role in Tanzania’s international trade network.

The Tanzania Ports Authority states that the port handles around 95% of Tanzania’s international trade and provides a logistics gateway to several landlocked countries.

If investments in ports, railways, roads, customs systems and logistics facilities continue, Dar es Salaam could play an increasingly important role in connecting Indian Ocean shipping routes with inland African markets.

Conclusion

The Port of Dar es Salaam is undergoing significant improvements in capacity, technology and operational efficiency.

Cargo throughput reached approximately 33.7 million tonnes in the 2025/26 financial year, while DP World reported that discharge times for comparable cargo had fallen by more than 90%, to less than 28 hours.