he Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is seeking stronger collaboration with railway operators to move more cargo by rail and reduce truck congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam, The Respondent reports.
Dar es Salaam Port Director Abed Galus called for investment to upgrade and expand rail infrastructure within the port, covering both the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR).
He said improvements to railway infrastructure "will not only serve container transportation" but would support the movement of all types of cargo through the port.
Galus was speaking during a visit by the Board of Directors of the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC). The board inspected rail facilities at the Kurasini Freight Station, the TEAGTL Container Terminal, the DP World terminal and Malindi Wharf, with the inspection continuing at the Kwala Inland Dry Port.
He added that work is also under way to expand the port's capacity, including deepening the channel and berths and adding new berths.
The push for rail comes as traffic through Dar es Salaam continues to climb. According to Tanzanian government figures reported by the Daily Monitor, the port handled 33.71 million tonnes of cargo in 2025/26, up 21.5%. Transit cargo for neighbouring countries rose 17% to 14.61 million tonnes. Cargo for the DR Congo rose 30% to 7.77 million tonnes, and cargo for Rwanda rose 24% to 2.18 million tonnes.
DP World has operated berths 0 to 7 at Dar es Salaam under a 30-year concession since April 2024, and has committed more than $500 million to modernising the port. Later this month, DP World will also begin a new weekly China Africa Link shipping service calling at Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania is building its SGR towards the Great Lakes region. The Isaka to Mwanza section was 68% complete in February 2026, and Tanzania is targeting 2028 for the full line from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza. In March 2026, Uganda and Tanzania signed a framework agreement for a standard gauge railway linking Isaka in Tanzania to Uganda.
Moving more of the port's cargo onto rail would ease pressure on roads and terminals, and lower transport costs for importers and exporters in Tanzania's landlocked neighbours, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern DR Congo.
The move also mirrors developments in Kenya, where Kenya Railways and shipping lines including CMA CGM are expanding rail services from the Port of Mombasa, as East Africa's two main gateways compete for the region's transit cargo.
