DP World, a leading in global supply chain solutions, has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPO) to modernise and operate the Dar es Salaam Port
The concession was awarded with the aim of improving transport and logistics services throughout Tanzania and its hinterland and is the first of a multi-phase investment plan.
DP World has announced that it will invest more than US$250mn to upgrade the port, potentially rising to US$1bn. Aside from helping to connect businesses in the region to the local market, the investment will also hold a positive impact for Tanzania’s socioeconomic development in terms of job creation and increased access to products and services.
The TPA and DP World will work alongside the port’s existing stakeholders to build on recent progress made by the Government and allow faster cargo clearing and improved cargo planning. This will help to strengthen Dar es Salaam’s critical role as the maritime gateway for green energy metals from the copper belt in southern-central Africa.
Modernisation of the port will include potential investments in temperature-controlled storage, greater connective to rail-linked routes, and the potential development of a special economic zone.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, remarked, “The development will deliver trade opportunities for the region, connecting East Africa and broader sub-Saharan Africa with global markets, driving economic growth, job creation, enhanced access to products and service, and creating value for all our stakeholders. Alongside other ports that we operate, this concession agreement marks another milestone in our collective efforts to leverage DP World’s global and local expertise to enhance the region’s supply chain to support the economic growth of the entire continent.”
Makame Mbarawa, Tanzania’s Minister of Transport, added, “The signing of the concession agreement between the Government of Tanzania and DP World is a momentous event indeed, as it marks yet another significant breakthrough in building best-in-class infrastructure in Tanzania under the Public-Private Partnership model. With DP World’s expertise the port will play an important role supporting the creation of direct and indirect employment in various sectors such as transportation, distribution and supply chain. Importantly, the Tanzania Ports Authority will be a shareholder of the port concessionaire, and there will be no job losses for employees at the port authority.”
