“Largest Ten Ports in Tanzania”

Find Busiest Tanzania Port

Tanzania is an East African country, part of the African Great Lakes region. Uganda, Kenya, the Comoro Islands, Indian Ocean, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo surrounds the country from north to west.

Tanzania’s port sector is one of the largest in East and Central Africa, supplying Tanzania, Malawi, and other landlocked countries. Its maritime industry is hampered by its dependency on the port of Dar es Salaam, where development is taking place.

Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) now serves as both a landlord and an operator, with the primary responsibilities of promoting the use, development, and management of ports and their environs. On this page, you will find information on the top ten ports in Tanzania (each port details and operations).

Port of Dar es Salaam
Port of Dar es Salaam
P.O. Box 1130. Dar es Salaam Tanzania

The Port of Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s principal port. It is one of three ocean ports in the country and manages over 90% of its freight traffic.

  • TEU: 9,619,876
  • The fourth-largest port on the African continent’s the Indian Ocean coastline.
  • Capacity of 4.1 million (DWT) dry cargos and 6.0 million (DWT) bulk liquid cargos
  • It consists of 11 deepwater berths and 2,600 meters of quay length
  • Expert in handling general cargo, break-bulk, dry bulk, refine and crude oil, refined products, vehicles, and grain
Port of Mtwara
Port of Mtwara
Mtwara, Tanzania

Mtwara is among the three major ports controlled by Tanzania Ports Authority. This deepwater port was constructed between 1948 and 1954.

  • TEU: 14,609 (2012)
  • Mainly handles: general freight
  • Major imports: general cargo and foodstuff
  • Primary exports: sisal, simsim, cassava roots, and cashew nuts
  • Deepwater quay excavated to a reference point of -9.5 meters
Port of Tanga
Port of Tanga
P.O.Box 443 Tanga Tanzania

Port of Tanga in East Africa’s oldest port. It’s a transport port comprising two berths in shallow water.

  • TEU: 11,922
  • The second-largest port in Tanzania
  • Currently, three shipping lines serve the port: Delmas, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Inchcape
  • Founded to serve northern Tanzania’s commercial and agricultural needs
  • Essential imports: sulfur, grain, machinery, phosphates, etc.
  • Chief exports: timber, fertilizers, coffee, sisal, etc.
Port of Lindi
Port of Lindi
Lindi Tanzania

Port of Lindi is situated in Tanzania’s southern area, around 80 kilometers from the Mozambique boundary.

  • TEU: N/A
  • It contains a single jetty 12 meters long and a depth of 4.0 meters alongside.
  • Accommodate only coasters; no ocean-going vessels are permitted
  • Max. Length – 51.8 meters, depth 3.8 meters
Port of Kilwa Masoko
Port of Kilwa Masoko
Kilwa Masoko Tanzania

Port of Kilwa Masoko is around 120 kilometers north of Lindi. The Tanzania Ports Authority manages it.

  • TEU: N/A
  • It consists of one jetty and a customs shed in general
  • Mostly small vessels use the jetty to load and unload cargo
  • Port type – river port
Port of Zanzibar
Port of Zanzibar
P.O. Box 263 Zanzibar Tanzania

The Port of Zanzibar is around 60 kilometers north of Dar Es Salaam on the western side of the island of Zanzibar. This port possesses a secured harbor protected by a reef barrier.

  • TEU: 50,000
  • Manages 95% of the country’s exports and imports transport thru the port
  • Main imports: cement, machinery, electrical goods, gasoline, and consumer items
  • Top exports: coconut, seashells, grain, clove stem oil, and cloves
  • Annually handles 1.5 million tons
Port of Mwanza
Port of Mwanza
P.O.Box 3100. Mwanza Tanzania

Port of Mwanza’s main port facilities is situated on Lake Victoria. It consists of two ports: Mwanza North Port and Mwanza South Port.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Tanzania Ports Authority owns and operates the port
  • Ports primarily used for passenger operations and cargo operations
  • Maritime Services Company Limited (MSCL) is the principal provider of marine services
Port of Bukoba
Port of Bukoba
Bukoba, Tanzania

Bukoba is a medium-sized port situated in East Africa in Tanzania at coordinates S 01° 20′ 47.07″ – E 031° 48′ 55.82″.

  • TEU: N/A
  • A second-largest port on Lake Victoria
  • Port length of 0.8 kilometers
Port of Mikindani
Port of Mikindani
Mikindani, Tanzania

Port of Mikindani is a historic Swahili port in southern Tanzania that was a hub of trade in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Anchorage depth – 11 meters to 12.2 meters
  • Cargo pier depth – 1.8 meters to – 3 meters
  • Fair shelters
Port of Chake Chake
Port of Chake Chake
Chake Chake Tanzania

Port of Chake Chake is located on the west coast of Pemba Island, about 40 nautical miles southeast of the Kenya-Tanzania borderline.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Latitude – 5° 14′ 16″ S
  • Longitude – 39° 43′ 47″ E
  • Maximum size – CBM: LOA 75 meters, draught 6.0 meters