TANZANIA RE-ADVERTISE TENDER FOR KIGOMA PORT UPGRADE

Tanzania government re-advertise tender for upgrading Kigoma port.

Tanzanian government have re-advertised the tender for upgrading Kigoma Port to a port of destination (CIF Kigoma). The reason for the re-advertisement is to get a successful bidder who will conduct a feasibility study and detailed design as well as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). As the initial tender did not have any person showing interest.

According to Atashasta Nditiye. Deputy Minister of Works, Transport and Communications, 21 companies have already expressed interest since after the re-advertisement.

After completion, the port will become the final destination for cargo from Burundi and Eastern DRC.  Last year the government also assigned  funds for the construction of the small ports of Ujiji and Kibirizi. Once complete the ports will enable other projects like Ujiji City-Great Lakes Trade and Logistics Center.

Kigoma is among the busiest ports on the north eastern Lake Tanganyika. The government also have plans to create an economic zone at the port so as to stimulate trade as well as ensuring stable economic growth of the Port.

Kigoma port is the only port in Tanzania that has a functioning railway connection. The railway is a direct link to the seaport at Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania’s most populous city).  The port is also located close to the border with Burundi and The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Kigoma Bay have a wharf of two hundred meters and several cranes to handle shipping containers.

Kigoma port currently serves the surrounding Kigoma Region which have a population of 135,234 (2007 census) and an elevation of 775 m.