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 on April 20, 2026.

Prof. Mbarawa said the seminar comes at a critical time as Tanzania expands and modernizes its port infrastructure. He highlighted the strategic role of the Port of Dar es Salaam, which 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 emphasized that digital transformation aligns with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, which prioritizes integrated logistics and seamless trade. He also acknowledged challenges such as infrastructure gaps, limited capacity, and funding constraints.

TASAC Director General Mohamed Salum underscored 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.

On the other hand, Ms. Mwanaulu Mwajita, IMO Head, Africa Section, and Ms. Nana Soetantri, Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank, highlighted that digitalization is now essential for modern ports, especially given the mandatory electronic data exchange requirements under the IMO Facilitation Convention.

The seminar is expected to identify gaps in current systems and propose practical recommendations to achieve full MSW implementation, thereby strengthening Tanzania’s position as a regional logistics hub.