The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has opened a new container stuffing yard as it seeks to improve efficiency in cargo handling at the Dar es Salaam Port.
The new staffing yard — located at Kurasini along Nelson Mandela Road — will see containers which were previously stuffed at the port getting packed and de-stuffed at the new facility thus reducing overcrowding at the port.
“Due to the availability of this facility stuffing will no longer be carried out in the port premises,” says a TPA statement issued to media yesterday.
According to the statement the facility licensed number CFS 003 is well equipped so that stuffing and transportation of containers would be well handled.
“The facility is also equipped with high trucks which are used to transfer the stuffed containers to the port for loading without involvement of the cargo exporter, thus saving time of our customers,” says the statement.
The only TPA’s outside stuffing yard has the capacity to handle 3,600 TEU’s every day equivalent to 20 foot containers.
TPA urged all shipping, clearing and forwarding agents and customers who wish to stuff their goods in containers to make use of this facility.
For his part, Mr Frank Mmbando, a clearing and forwarding agent commended the move but warned that TPA staff working at such facilities should work more smartly and enhance efficiency.
“As an agent you can pay all the fees for your container but after arriving at the stuffing yard, you are told the container was yet to arrive, this is very discouraging, we should work hard and manage our time efficiently,” said Mr Mmbando.
TPA had a total of five stuffing yards located within the port area; the new one brings the total to six stuffing yards under the authority.
NMG
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