By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania’s northern gateway, Tanga Port, is fast emerging as a key player in regional and international trade following years of investment and modernisation.
The port’s growing reputation for efficiency and reliability has now drawn the attention of global shipping operators – including China’s Yantai Port, which on Saturday October 25, 2025 launched a new general cargo shipping route linking East Asia and East Africa.
The first vessel on this new route departed Yantai Port in Shandong Province on 25 October 2025, destined for Tanga Port.
The route, which becomes Yantai’s 29th international general cargo line, underscores a deepening of economic ties between China and East Africa and represents a major milestone in Tanzania’s quest to become a logistics hub for the region.
According to Yantai Port Authority, the service aims to streamline cargo flow between Asia and East Africa by offering faster and more reliable shipping options.
Once goods arrive in Tanga, they can easily be distributed across Tanzania and to landlocked neighbours such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo through Tanzania’s improved road and rail network.
From dormancy to regional hub
Just a decade ago, Tanga Port was one of Tanzania’s least active seaports, handling mostly coastal vessels and modest cargo volumes.
But in recent years, it has undergone a remarkable transformation under the leadership of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and the government’s broader port modernisation agenda.
The port has gone tremendous transformation following major upgrades which included dredging and expansion of the main harbour basin to accommodate larger ocean-going vessels.
There was also installation of new cargo handling equipment, cranes, and modern storage facilities as well as construction of new access roads and railway connections, linking the port to Tanzania’s northern trade corridor and the upcoming Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The port has also seen digitalisation of port operations to improve customs clearance and logistics efficiency.
These investments have already paid off – Tanga has seen a surge in cargo throughput, handling more general cargo, fertilizer, and fuel than at any point in its recent history.
“The revival of Tanga Port is not just a local success; it’s a symbol of Tanzania’s ambition to reclaim its place as the logistics powerhouse of East Africa,” said a senior official at the Tanzania Ports Authority.
A strategic complement
The development of Tanga Port complements ongoing improvements at the Dar es Salaam and Mtwara ports, which are being upgraded to handle higher volumes and specialised cargo.
The Dar es Salaam Port modernisation project, supported by the World Bank and other partners, has enhanced container handling capacity, reduced turnaround time, and strengthened Tanzania’s competitiveness in the global maritime sector. Meanwhile, Mtwara Port, strategically positioned in the south, is being developed to serve the growing gas, agriculture, and mining sectors of southern Tanzania and Mozambique.
Together, these ports form part of the Tanzania Integrated Industrial and Transport Corridor Plan, designed to boost exports, facilitate trade, and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) across sectors.
Gateway to East and Central Africa
The new Yantai–Tanga route is expected to facilitate the transport of industrial equipment, construction machinery, and renewable energy components, aligning with Tanzania’s infrastructure and energy expansion drive.
For exporters, the route offers a shorter and more cost-effective alternative to traditional East African ports, reducing transit times and logistical costs for businesses operating between China and Africa’s interior markets.
With Tanzania’s transport corridors linking the Indian Ocean to landlocked economies like Zambia, Rwanda, and Uganda, Tanga is now positioned as a strategic gateway – offering an efficient alternative to Dar es Salaam Port for northern trade flows.
“This new shipping link reinforces Tanga’s growing role in regional trade and showcases the benefits of Tanzania’s ongoing investment in maritime infrastructure,” said a regional logistics analyst in Dar es Salaam.
Part of Tanzania’s vision for a maritime future
The launch of the new cargo route aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader strategy to expand the country’s blue economy and strengthen its maritime infrastructure as a driver of industrialisation and export-led growth.
The government has prioritised port modernisation as part of Vision 2050, recognizing the maritime sector’s critical role in transforming Tanzania into a regional transport and logistics hub.
As the new Yantai–Tanga route begins operations, it marks more than a logistical connection – it’s a symbol of Tanzania’s economic reawakening, positioning the nation as a competitive player in global trade networks.
A port reborn
Tanga Port’s resurgence underscores how strategic investment, political will, and international partnerships can revive national infrastructure and open new economic frontiers.
From once-silent docks to becoming a bridge between Asia and Africa, Tanga now embodies the future of Tanzanian trade – efficient, ambitious and globally connected. As one maritime expert observed: “Tanga Port is no longer a forgotten coastline. It’s the rising star of East African logistics.”
