A call to fast-track digitalisation

Seminar addresses maritime systems

TANZANIA: The Minister for Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, has called for accelerated adoption of integrated digital systems in the maritime sector to improve efficiency and facilitate trade.

He made the remarks while opening a Regional Seminar on the use of the IMO Compendium and implementation of Maritime Single Window (MSW) and Port Community Systems in Dar es Salaam this week.

Highlighting the role of the Port of Dar es Salaam, the Minister noted that the drive to expand and modernise port infrastructure was critical for a port that handles over 90 percent of the country’s international trade and serves land-linked countries in the Central Corridor.

He noted that recent government reforms, including the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project, have improved infrastructure and efficiency. The port can now handle larger vessels, while cargo volumes have grown to 27.7 million tonnes in 2024/25, with vessel turnaround time reduced significantly.

He emphasised that digital transformation aligns with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which prioritises integrated logistics and seamless trade. He also acknowledged challenges such as infrastructure gaps, limited capacity, and funding constraints.

Tanzania Shipping Agency Corporation (TASAC) Director General, Mohamed Salum, emphasised the importance of regional collaboration and the adoption of digital systems to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. He described the Maritime Single Window as a strategic tool for simplifying procedures, improving transparency, and enabling real-time data exchange.

Also presenting at the seminar, Mwanaulu Mwajita, IMO Head, Africa Section, and Nana Soetantri, Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank, highlighted that digitalisation is essential for modern ports, especially given the mandatory electronic data exchange requirements under the IMO Facilitation Convention.

PHOTO SOURCE: Tanzania Shipping Agency Corporation (TASAC)