Tanzania Ports Authority floats tender for procurement of two tug boats for Tanga port

The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) plans to procure two tug boats for Tanga port as it readies for the Hoim-Tanga oil pipeline.

TPA director general Deusdedit Kakoko revealed this on Tuesday morning on the sideline of the first Tanzania Oil and Gas Congress.

"We have floated a tender for two tug ships. These are used for receiving and escorting ships arriving and leaving the port. Both domestic and international bidders have been invited. One of the bidders is the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) through its assembly unit, Nyumbu," he said.

"Industry, Trade and Investment Minister Charles Mwijage was quick to respond on behalf of local companies. Also, TPDF Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Venance Mabeyo sent a delegation to discuss with us on behalf of Nyumbu," he added, saying the winner will be known before January as tendering process was still on progress.

Mr Kakoko said TPA has investigated and identified the level at which the port would be deepened in new efforts to enable large ships to dock.

"We have completed design on towers installation. We are considering building a facility at the project area to enhance other TPA activities including ending theft, smuggling out of government trophies and illegal export of metallic sand as discovered recently at the Dar es Salaam Port," he said.

According to him, TPA is prepared to recruit extra human resource to work in the area, expressing optimism that the contractor, a Joint Venture (JV) partners Tullow Oil Uganda, Total E&P and Cnooc will complete design before January 2018 and start importing materials for $3.5 billion project.

"TPA is well prepared to quickly clear building materials at the Dar es Salaam Port including pipes that will be imported by the contractor. However, the contractors should abide with directives restricting them to import some building materials such as cement which the government said should be purchased locally," he said.

He said TPA will install equipment for recording the number of goods imported or exported for government's administrative purposes, including combating cheating in revenue collections.