Mtwara Port Authority Acting Manager, Mr. Norbert Kalembwe, left, with Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Colonel Ahmed Abbas, centre

TWO ships have docked at Mtwara Port carrying a crane that will be used to unload large cargos at the facility.

This latest development, according to the ports’ authority, is expected to fuel the economic activities of the region. A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist rope, wire ropes or chains and sheaves that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally.

Mtwara Port Authority Acting Manager, Mr. Norbert Kalembwe, said the step is part of the government’s efforts to ensure that the port has enough modern facilities to handle cargo at a distance of 45 metres from the berth.

A newly crane is being offloaded

Kalembwe said the ships docked last week, while the crane came in the form of more than 160 pieces that will be assembled at the port. There are other two cranes that will be fixed in Dar es Salaam Port. All of the three cranes are worth 85bn/-.

Elaborating further, Kalembwe thanked the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for a massive expansion of the port and construction of a new berth that has enabled the terminal to accommodate large cargo ships.

Kalembwe added that there are huge changes as the docking of the ship determines the increase in cargo volumes for both export and imports as well as significantly contribute surge in revenue collections, which will in the end boost economic activities in the region.

In the financial year that ended on June 30th 2022, the port was able to serve 592,000 tonnes, (56 per cent) which is more than the target made by the port.

Furthermore, he added that during the period of July and August this year, the port served more than 200,000 tonnes of cargo.

On his part, Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Colonel Ahmed Abbas said the new crane are powerful and will help ease loading and off-loading of cargo at the port.

“This is good move for our port and region as a whole.  It will act as a catalyst in boosting economic opportunities in the region as well as for neighboring countries including Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.

“Previously it was difficult for many ships that were docks at the port to unload large cargo due to the lack of this kind of cranes,” said the RC after touring the port.

He further pointed out by encouraging the citizens to take advantage of the available opportunities in the region, aimed at promoting the economy of individuals and the region in general.

Major investments and rehabilitation of the port that had cost 1.5bn/-, which includes construction of a 300-metre long and 13.5m depth new berth have increased cargo handling capacity from 400,000 tonnes per annum to 1,000,000 tonnes annually.

Author; TSN Digital