English
FrançaisComplaint
- Complaint number
- NTB-001-310
- NTB Type
- Other type:
- Complaint
-
Currently, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Tariffs (2023) and the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act Cap 145 (2026) do not address recent developments in regional transport, particularly the introduction and operation of Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) vessels within the East Africa lake transport corridor.
In particular, at Mwanza Port, port charges levied on RoRo cargo by TPA are considerably high, and in most instances, include stevedoring and cargo handling fees that are not actually incurred. Given that RoRo cargo is driven on and off vessels without manual handling, the application of such charges is inconsistent with the nature of service provided. Additionally, wharfage fees are assessed at high levels compared to other regional ports, that further increase the overall cost burden on customers.
Despite efforts to engage port officials in constructive dialogue and propose a case-by-case assessment framework that would more accurately align charges with the actual services rendered, there has been limited willingness to review and adjust the existing approach. Charges continue to be applied under the prevailing tariff structure without adequate consideration of the unique operational characteristics of RoRo transport.
The cumulative effect of these high and misaligned port charges is that prospective customers are discouraged from utilizing lake transport services. This is particularly concerning given that water transport offers a shorter, more cost-effective alternative to the long and less efficient road route via the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania.
Furthermore, lake transport provides broader economic and environmental benefits. It is a more environmentally sustainable mode of transport, contributing to reduced carbon emissions, lower fuel consumption per-kilometer, and decreased road congestion. Increased utilization of water transport relieves pressure off regional road infrastructure, thereby reducing road maintenance costs and promotes the use of available multimodal transport corridors.
In light of the foregoing, there is a clear need for a review and modernization of the existing lake tariff framework to incorporate RoRo-specific provisions. Such reforms would promote fair pricing, encourage modal shift to more sustainable transport options, and the broader objectives of regional trade facilitation and infrastructure optimization`. - Progress update note
- Policy or regulatory NTB
- No
- Location
- Tanzania: (Lake Port)
- Reporting Country or Region
- Uganda
- Country specific trade issue
- No
- Date of incident
- 2025-09-13
- Status
- New
- Product Description
-
The affected product is Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) cargo transported via inland water vessels and operating on Lake Victoria, particularly through facilities managed by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), including Mwanza South Port.
RoRo cargo consists of wheeled or self-propelled units that are driven directly onto and off vessels without the need for lifting equipment, carenes or conventional stevedoring services. The system is specifically designed to minimize cargo handling and reduce transit time. The affected cargo includes commercial trucks and trailers (loaded or empty), personal vehicles, transit cargo trucks destined for regional markets, construction and agricultural machinery, buses and special-purpose vehicles, project cargo mounted on wheeled platforms, vehicles carrying containerized or palletized goods.
RoRo transport represents a significant advancement in cargo movement across the region, allowing vehicles and wheeled cargo to be driven directly on and off vessels without the need for conventional cargo handling methods such as stevedoring or cranage. However, the existing tariff structure does not provide a specific framework for port charges applicable to RoRo cargo. As a result, charges are currently applied under conventional cargo categories that do not accurately reflect the operational realities of RoRo services.
- Total value
- TZS600 000.00
- Date reported
- 2026-03-03 15:25
- Modified
- 2026-03-03 15:25
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