Mbamba Bay Port is among the strategic ports of Tanzania, it has a jetty suitable for light cargo. The port is to be expanded to save an uprising demand. Mbamba as a port has the potential to connect to the Mtwara corridor. Mtwara Corridor is a major infrastructure involving Southern Tanzania, Northern Mozambique and Eastern Zambia.
Preparations are underway for the construction of the Mbamba Bay port, which is set to become the largest port on Lake Nyasa, following the government's allocation of 70 billion Tanzanian shillings for the project.
Tanzania Ports Authority's Manager for Lake Nyasa ports, Mr. Manga Gassaya, expressed appreciation to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for financing the project, which is expected to significantly transform water transport on the lake.
The project is scheduled to begin next month and is expected to be completed within 36 months, with an annual cargo handling capacity of 320,000 tonnes. The construction of the Mbamba Bay port aligns with the government's plan to open up the Mtwara Development Corridor.
The completion of all port projects will increase the capacity of Lake Nyasa ports from the current 76,200 tonnes of cargo to 552,300 tonnes and passenger handling capacity from 126,000 passengers to 656,000 passengers.
The port will help decongest the Dar es Salaam Port and provide access to Malawi and Zambia via Lake Nyasa.