Port of Dar es Salaam is the main port serving Tanzania. The port is one of three seaports in the country and handles more than 90% of the country’s freight traffic. According to the International Association of Ports and Harbors, it is the fourth largest port on the Indian Ocean coast of the African continent after Durban, Mombasa and Maputo. The port serves as a gateway for trade and commerce for Tanzania and many landlocked nations.
The city owes its existence to the port of Dar es Salaam. The development of the city began in 1862 by the Sultan of Zanzibar, Majid bin Said, as an alternative port to Bagamoyo and Zanzibar, but after his death the project was canceled. It was not resumed until the German East Africa Company began rebuilding the city in 1887. The Germans had already completed the Osambara Railway from Tanga Port and had begun building the new Tanzanian Central Line from their new capital, the port of Dar es Salaam. .
After World War I, the British captured Tanganyika and maintained their capital in the city. Economic activity continued through the early 20th century and during World War II centered around the city and facilitated port expansion. After Tanganyika gained its independence, the city retained its status as a commercial capital
Due to the apartheid regime in South Africa, many landlocked South African countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi that depended on South African ports turned to the port of Dar es Salaam. This facilitated the construction of the TAZARA Railway, the Tanzam Expressway and the Malawi Corridor link. The port provides a gateway for Zambian copper and Malawian tobacco exports, as well as providing a vital lifeline for fuel imports.
With the ever-growing economies of the region, the reliance on Dar Port has increased exponentially. The port experienced an average annual growth of 10% in freight traffic from 2003 onwards, completing the rapid growth of the city of Dar es Salaam.
The port faced growing criticism for inefficiency and corruption and saw increased international pressure.