TANZANIA’s deepest port, Mtwara, has received the largest container ship in its history, marking a new era for the port in handling large vessels. The GH TRANMOTANE ship measuring 240 metres in length, carrying 459 containers docked at the port on Friday.Briefing journalists about the ship, Mtwara Port Harbour Master Captain Paul Mchawampaka said that the container ship was able to dock at Mtwara Port due to technological advancements that have transformed port operations.
“Mtwara Port was originally built to handle ships up to 176 meters in length, but thanks to recent investments in technology, the port can now accommodate much larger vessels, such as the one we have just received,” he said.He noted that the arrival of the container ship marks a historic milestone for Mtwara Port, boosting both domestic and international confidence in the port’s efficiency. Mtwara Port Manager, Mr Ferdinand Nyathi, highlighted that the ship’s arrival signals early preparations for the handling and transportation of cashew nuts to various countries via Mtwara Port. “The arrival of these containers signifies our earlier preparations by the port to handle cashewnuts in the coming cashew harvest season for 2024/2025,” he said. Mr Nyathi said in this cashew harvest year, the management of port in collaboration with stakeholders have carried out big changes ensuring efficiency in handling and transporting of the cashewnuts via the port.
“Last season (2023/2024), we received containers in October but this season we have made changes, ensuring containers arrives on time to create room for business people and other stakeholders in the value chain to prepare and get ready in transporting cashewnuts,” he said. Acting Mtwara Regional Commissioner Ms Zainabu Taleck asked cashew growers, agricultural cooperative union, cashewnuts board (CBT) to get prepared and ensure all cashew nuts are transported via Mtwara Port as per government’s directives.