Tanzania's key port to handle large cargo vessels after Chinese firm's expansion project: minister

The government of Tanzania said on Friday the expansion of the Dar es Salaam port by China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) will enable it to handle large vessels ferrying up to 6,000 containers when the project will be completed.

Isack Kamelwe, the east African nation's Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, told the visiting Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi that the port was currently handling ships with a capacity of ferrying between 3,000 and 4,000 containers.

"But after completion of the project, the port will have the capacity to handle vessels carrying more up to 6,000 containers," Kamelwe told the visiting DRC leader.

The minister said expansion of the port will not only benefit Tanzania but also its neighboring landlocked countries, including the DRC.

The project being undertaken at the port by China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd includes improving the port's capacity by expansion of berths, he said.

"We are doing all in our capacity to improve the port's efficiency," said Kamelwe.