DP World’s terminal at Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania has achieved record cargo volumes as operational improvements and infrastructure upgrades continue to strengthen the facility’s performance.
Terminal 1 handled a record 46,582 TEUs in July 2026, a sharp increase from the benchmark of 13,779 TEUs recorded in May 2024, according to the latest industry update. The terminal’s performance comes as part of the wider modernisation of Dar es Salaam Port.
The terminal also recorded its previous monthly container milestone in March 2026, when it handled 43,803 TEUs, the highest monthly container volume at the time. Tanzania’s port system has experienced strong growth, with container traffic at Dar es Salaam reaching 110,199 TEUs during the first quarter of 2026, up 92% from the same period a year earlier.
DP World has been implementing a major operational transformation at Dar es Salaam under its long-term concession with the Tanzania Ports Authority. The company has introduced modern cargo-handling processes and upgraded infrastructure to improve vessel turnaround times and increase the port’s ability to handle larger and more complex vessels.
The transformation has produced significant productivity gains. DP World reported that discharge times for comparable cargo have fallen by more than 90%, from over 300 hours to less than 28 hours. The port has also successfully handled larger Pure Car and Truck Carriers, including the 240-metre M/V RAMHAN.
Further infrastructure development is underway at Terminal 1. EDECS Group has secured a contract to redevelop seven cargo and material-handling yards covering about 90,000 square metres, together with new gates, utilities, digital yard-management infrastructure, fire protection and high-mast lighting.
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and busiest port and handles more than 90% of the country’s international maritime trade. It also serves as a critical gateway for several landlocked countries in East and Central Africa, including Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda.
The continued growth in container, RoRo, bulk and general cargo volumes highlights Dar es Salaam’s expanding role as a regional logistics hub. Higher productivity and additional capacity are expected to improve supply-chain efficiency and strengthen Tanzania’s links with international markets.
With further investment planned under DP World’s long-term concession, the port is positioning itself to accommodate growing trade demand and reinforce its role as a key maritime gateway for East and Central Africa.