Completion of Kwala dry port set to ease Dar es Salaam lorry congestion

Kibaha. Congestion on Dar es Salaam roads may soon ease as the Kwala Dry Port has begun handling cargo offloaded at the seaport.

This follows the successful processing of 700 containers at the facility, with the number expected to rise significantly once the dry port is fully integrated with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

The facility is expected to handle 823 containers per day, including shipments destined for neighbouring countries, amounting to 300,395 containers annually equivalent to 30 percent of the total container volume currently managed by the Port of Dar es Salaam.

These details were shared by the Chief Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, during a media briefing after visiting an industrial park in the Coast Region and the Kwala Dry Port, which was constructed by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

Once fully operational, the dry port will enable lorries to pick up cargo from Coast Region instead of the Dar port, reducing transportation costs and long delays.

“The goal of the Kwala Dry Port is to encourage business operators to collect their cargo here. Additionally, we are working on the Dar es Salaam ring road to ensure that lorries causing congestion use this alternative route,” said Msigwa.

His remarks come amid increasing complaints about severe traffic congestion in Dar es Salaam caused by heavy lorries.

Some residents have even called for specific days to be allocated for lorry entry into the city.

Apart from congestion, the disorderly parking of lorries has also become an issue, often blocking emergency lanes and making it difficult for road users to navigate.

“For lorries parked in residential areas, it is the responsibility of the Dar es Salaam regional government to regulate and resolve the issue to ease the burden on residents,” Msigwa added.

To address this challenge, on February 4 last year, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, launched a special operation to impound lorries parked illegally in emergency lanes. He urged lorry drivers and owners to use designated parking areas.

Chalamila said emergency lanes are meant for public use, not for parking lorries, and blocking these routes worsens the city’s congestion.

“If these lanes become clogged, there will come a time when an emergency patient needs urgent transportation to a hospital, or law enforcement needs to respond to a crime scene. With lorries parked recklessly, we may not be able to act in time,” Chalamila said.

Beyond obstructing emergency services, he warned that unauthorised parking of lorries could create hiding spots for criminals.

When asked about the situation, Secretary General of the Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TAMSTOA), Issa John, explained that lorry drivers often park in these areas while waiting to unload cargo.

“Currently, most lorry drivers are being forced to park at dry port facilities because there are no alternative spaces. Tomorrow, we will hold a meeting with relevant government departments, including LATRA, to find a better solution,” said John.

Beyond decongesting Dar es Salaam’s roads, the Kwala Dry Port aims to reduce cargo congestion at the main port. The backlog results from increased cargo volumes and limited unloading space.

Previously, Dar es Salaam had 11 dry ports with a combined storage capacity of 24,300 containers at a time.

Of these, nine could accommodate up to 19,100 vehicles. However, these facilities proved insufficient to meet growing demand, prompting the government to construct Kwala Dry Port.

“This decision was made to increase cargo handling capacity and boost government revenue,” Msigwa said.

He added that the facility would also lower operational costs, attracting more customers to the Port of Dar es Salaam and enhancing its competitiveness in the region, particularly as neighboring countries continue to invest in their own dry port infrastructure.

Furthermore, the project will strengthen economic activities in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions by reducing vehicle congestion.

“It will also improve road safety, as a significant share of Dar es Salaam Port’s cargo will be transported by rail, prolonging the lifespan of roads in Dar es Salaam and the Coast Region. The dry port will also create job opportunities for local communities and the country at large,” he stated.