Mtwara Port
Mtwara expands to serve oil and gas sector
T
he natural deepwater harbour of Mtwara, in Mikindani Bay, is one of Tanzania’s three main ports along with Dar es Salaam and Tanga. Situated some 580 km south of Dar es Salaam, Mtwara is being transformed now from a comparatively small harbour into a port that will play a major role in the future economic and social development of Tanzania. The discovery of significant oil and gas fields totalling an estimated 50 trillion cubic feet in the Indian Ocean has seen the port take on a new national importance. At the same time, the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has well-developed plans to expand and rehabilitate the port and US$ 214 million has been earmarked for this work. Some 263 hectares of land has been acquired for an expansion westwards that will see the quay lengthened and the number of berths increased to seven. Previously, the port covered only 70 hectares.
NEW EQUIPMENT Ahead of the proposed expansion, Mtwara consists of one continuous 385 metre quay with a maximum depth alongside of 10.0 metres (9.85 metres
port by acquiring new equipment includ-
At the same time, 110 hectares is ear-
draught) at both its general cargo berths
ing a reach stacker, a container spreader,
marked for a proposed new Free Zone that
and its oil terminal. The cargo berths are
empty container handlers and terminal
will be developed in two phases. The first
supported by four transit sheds while
tractors as well as a new pilot boat.
will involve development of 10 hectares
the oil and gas sector has dedicated
for oil and gas support companies while
facilities at one end of the quay. Ships are
The offshore oil and gas sector now uses
the remainder is to be used as a general
restricted in size to 175 metres LOA.
Mtwara as its main supply base and
export processing and economic zone.
several major international energy firms There are three mobile cranes of up to 25
operate from the port. A further 400
The long-term goal is to create a port
tonnes capacity for handling containers
hectares is being set aside for expansion
capable of handling 28 million tonnes
and general cargo. TPA has upgraded the
of the gas sector.
of cargo a year. Prior to the expansion,
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