Dar Port News

The acting director of Tanzania's port authority has been suspended pending an investigation into allegations he violated procurement procedures, officials said on Tuesday. The suspension comes at a time when the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam, a major gateway to east Africa long plagued by inefficiencies, is due to receive a major facelift as part of a push to become a regional trade hub. Director Madeni Kipande, whose predecessor was removed in a graft scandal two years ago, could not be immediately reached for comment. Local media quoted him as saying he had done nothing wrong.

According to reports, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) will undertake a $44 million joint venture project to replace the existing Single Point Mooring (SPM) facility to handle bigger oil vessels and an increased volume of crude oil at the Dar port. The joint venture, which is expected to commence in 2008, will see partners in the investment contribute equity and possibly manage and operate the SPM facility in collecting the revenue. Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) officials, said the proposed facility will have the capacity to handle both bulk and refined liquid products. The TPA expects the new facility to provide increased revenue in addition to improvements in quality of service, safety, efficiency and the capacity to handle bigger vessels.