- Port Overview
- Port Picture
- Description and Contacts of Key Companies
- Port Performance
- Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges
- Berthing Specifications
- General Cargo Handling Berths
- Port Handling Equipment
- Container Facilities
- Customs Guidance
- Terminal Information
- Stevedoring
- Hinterland Information
- Port Security
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) |
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-book. The 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 |
20 TEUs depending on transport |
n/a |
Number of Reefer Stations |
n/a |
n/a |
Emergency Take-off Capacity |
n/a |
n/a |
Off take Capacity of Gang 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 |
1 |
Police Boats |
No |
Fire Engines |
No |