Ethiopia ships to dock at Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam. Ethiopia has decided that its shipping line will make Dar es Salaam its new port of call.

This was said in Dar es Salaam yesterday by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn during his tour of the country’s largest port.

“I’m glad to learn that the Tanzania Ports Authority is working very hard to make the service competitive so that when we bring our ships here, it will benefit our people,” said the Premier during his brief tour before flying back to Ethiopia.

He underscored the importance of marine transportation for the two nations to attain economic transformation and quicker economic volumes.

The Ethiopian Shipping Lines S.C. was founded in1964 G.C. and started operation in 1966 G.C. with three newly built ships (two general cargos and one tanker).

Mr Desalegn said his government would send a team of experts to team up with their Tanzanian counterparts and identify areas of cooperation in the transportation sector.

While welcoming him, the Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa expressed the country’s commitment to strengthen further bilateral ties between the two nations.

Earlier, TPA director general Deusdedit Kakoko briefed the Ethiopian Premier on activities of the port and expressed commitment that the authority was committed to serving Ethiopia in its development path.

“We’re ready and capable of receiving Ethiopian ships and cargo through efficient, effective and safe cargo hub here at our main port,” Mr Kakoko noted.

The port chief said Ethiopian cargo will be handled safely through a fast-tracked and properly networked logistics of a surface and air intermodal transport system.

As such, he reiterated that TPA was prepared to team-up with their Ethiopian counterparts to make the dream of two countries a reality based on the fact that the political will has been cemented.

For his part, Works, Transport and Communications minister Makame Mbarawa commended Ethiopia for the achievements it has made so far in terms of unprecedented industrial growth.

Prof Mbarawa said the government of Tanzania enjoys cordial diplomatic relations with the Ethiopia, urging that such relations should be extended further to enhance trade and economic relations.

He said already Tanzania has exchanged experiences on best practices from Ethiopia in areas of economic policies, investment, energy, transport, sports and housing schemes among other key areas.