Assessment of challenges facing port cargo handling equipment in Tanzania: a case study of Dar es salaam ports

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to identify challenges that were facing cargo handling equipment at Dar es Salaam Port and devise appropriate measures to overcome them. Data were analyze by using content analysis technique which is the most desirable in this study, the data were presented in form of tables and pie’ charts by using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and Microsoft excel as tool of analysis and later on explanation was done in words to give clear interpretation of findings The findings of the conducted study indicates that Dar es Salaam port have revealed common challenges of port cargo handling equipment’s such Truck attachments, Gravity conveyors systems, Conveyors , Lifting, Order picking trucks, Industrials tracks and attachments and Power rollers conveyors are available at Dar es Salaam port but there were few in number compared to port operation and result on inefficiency on port operations such as delay of loading and unloading activities which result on port congestion. Other equipment for loading and unloading have to hire from other country, also it is expensive in terms of money where by many labors are needed in operation. For the purpose of an organization to achieve its goals effectively and efficiently, the following are recommended: Provision of cargo handling equipment and not renting from neighboring countries because a lot of foreign exchange (income) get lost or disappear, In minimizing running cost that resulting from poor working machines that need to be disposed and replaced with efficient machines, an organization needs to procure modern machines that fits to the world technology for profit making, Dar es Salaam Port should arrange periodic training and workshops for workers to improve efficiency in cargo handling equipment, Highly and modified equipment to be used so as to facilitate the port operation, Improvement of Port Exit Gates. Currently there are three exit gates (Gate number 3, 4, and 5) which do not match with the flow of trucks out of the port.