“Reduce the competitiveness”

Tanzania Port Authority (TPA) is finalising the construction of three modern vessels to ply Lake Nyasa. Kyela Port Manager, Mr Percival Salama, said the vessels would help opening up economic and business opportunities for the three regions of Mbeya, Njombe and Ruvuma as well as neighbouring countries of Mozambique and Zambia.He also noted that the move would also help in facilitating opening up of the ‘Mtwara Development Corridor’ to make Mtwara and Mbamba Bay ports to serve the market in Malawi and reduce the competitiveness of Mozambique ports to Dar es Salaam port.“This would make Mtwara port increase its cargo volume all the time during the cashew nut harvest season,” he said. Mr Salama was also optimistic that once the vessel starts operations, the TPA would reap the benefits of increased revenue.“Many customers have already shown readiness to use the water transport upon the completion of construction of these vessels,” he said. Out of the three ships, two would be for carrying goods and the remaining one for transporting passengers.It is expected that the construction of the cargo vessels would be completed in October while the remaining passenger vessel would be ready for use from February next year.The ship building project is undertaken by M/s Songoro Marine Transport Ltd and that the passenger vessel will have a capacity of carrying 200 people and a consignment of a maximum weight of 200 tons.In ensuring that the TPA improves port services in Lake Nyasa, Mr Salaam said TPA has completed repairing five boats to be used for improving transport in the area.