Adani Ports Advances Global Expansion Plans With Prospective Deal At Dar Es Salaam Port In Tanzania

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) is reportedly on the verge of securing the rights to develop and operate cargo berths at Tanzania's main port Dar es Salaam.

It represents the third global acquisition by APSEZ's port unit in recent years.

The exact value of the deal has not been confirmed, but it is expected to propel APSEZ towards its goal of becoming the world's largest port operator by 2030. This development positions the company on a promising trajectory.

The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), responsible for overseeing ports in the country, is set to announce the winner of a dual tender to privatise Dar es Salaam Port.

This port handles approximately 95 per cent of Tanzania's international trade. The announcement is anticipated to be made in the coming days.

The successful outcome of this tender will bring significant changes to the operations of Dar es Salaam Port, as a private entity takes over its development and management, reports Economic Times.

This move is expected to have a positive impact on Tanzania's international trade and further enhance the country's economic growth.

APSEZ and Abu Dhabi Ports Group have reportedly joined forces to submit a joint bid for various berths at Dar es Salaam Port. This port serves as the main access point to Tanzania's hinterland and the Great Lakes region of Africa.

In addition to its importance for Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Port plays a crucial role in supporting the economies of neighbouring landlocked countries such as Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Due to its strategic location, the port serves as a vital freight link for countries in East and Central Africa, as well as for trade routes to the Middle East, the Far East, Europe, Australia, and America.

APSEZ was contracted by TPA in January of this year to operate four container handling berths (8 to 11) at Dar es Salaam Port.

This came after the expiration of their five-year contract with Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Hong Kong's Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd.

The port features five general cargo berths (0-5) for handling break bulk and dry bulk, as well as a roll-on, roll-off berth specifically designed for vehicle handling. Additionally, there are six container handling facilities with a combined capacity of 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The port operates various facilities to cater to different needs. It includes a grain terminal with a storage capacity of 30,000 tons, an Inland Container Depot that can handle 24,300 TEUs, and a Container Freight Station capable of holding 6,000 vehicles.

To handle crude oil and refined petroleum products, the port is equipped with two oil terminals. These include the single point mooring facility and the Kurasini Oil Jetty.

In order to improve the port's efficiency and accommodate larger ships, the Tanzania Ports Authority is implementing the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project.

This project is being funded by a Rs 345 million loan from the World Bank. The aim is to increase the cargo handling capacity to 28 million tons by 2025.

APSEZ and Abu Dhabi Ports Group signed a memorandum of understanding in August last year to pursue joint investments in logistics infrastructure and solutions in Tanzania.

This includes rail, maritime services, port operations, digital services, industrial zones, and the establishment of maritime academies at Dar es Salaam Port.

The agreement between APSEZ and Abu Dhabi Ports Group aims to develop an end-to-end maritime and logistics ecosystem in Tanzania. The companies envision making Tanzania a hub for the African region.

This collaboration sets the stage for potential investments at the country level to enhance the maritime and logistics industry.

Partnering with the AD Ports Group in Tanzania's ports and maritime sector will bring positive change to the communities, according to APSEZ CEO Karan Adani.

Karan Adani stated that their collaboration with the AD Ports Group will support local employment and promote economic growth in Tanzania and other East African countries.