An Empirical Assessment of Container Dwell-Time Changes at Dar es Salaam Port Before and After Privatization

Peter Majengo; Msabaha Juma Mwendapole

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i09.1970

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of the April 2024 DP World concession on container dwell-time at Dar es Salaam’s Terminal One by combining an interrupted time-series (ITS) of monthly data (January 2019–June 2025) with thematic analysis of stakeholder interviews. ITS results reveal a statistically significant immediate reduction of 2.84 days in average dwell-time (p < .001) and a further monthly decrease of 0.074 days (p = .016), culminating in an overall 42 percent improvement and a 1.2-day contraction at seasonal peaks. Qualitative findings attribute these gains to three key mechanisms: OCR gate automation, a fully integrated single-window customs platform, and dedicated green-lane handling for sensitive cargo. However, an emergent “capability gap” theme underscores the necessity of sustained labour up-skilling and change-management to maintain momentum. By echoing privatization successes in Singapore, Durban, and Colombo, this mixed-methods analysis demonstrates that coupling targeted capital investments with human-capital development is critical for locking in durable efficiency dividends. Future research should monitor long-term performance trajectories and evaluate training initiatives to reinforce structural enhancements.

Keywords

Contributory Pension SchemeEnergy Commission of NigeriaPension Fund AdministratorsRetirement Savings Account

References

Adams, J., Khan, H. T. A., Raeside, R., & White, D. (2016). Research methods for business and social science students (2nd ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗
Barros, C. P., & Peypoch, N. (2012). Productivity analysis of Indian Ocean container ports. European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research, 12(1), 77–95.Google Scholar ↗
Bingireki, D. M. (2012). Operational performance of Dar es Salaam Port: An assessment from the user perspective [Master’s thesis, University of Dar es Salaam].Google Scholar ↗
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.Google Scholar ↗
Cachon, G., & Terwiesch, C. (2019). Matching supply with demand (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar ↗
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗
Dasgupta, M., & Sinha, S. (2016). Port privatization and efficiency: An Indian perspective. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 18(4), 409–427.Google Scholar ↗
Debrie, J., Lavaud-Letilleul, V., & Parola, F. (2013). Shifting sands in port governance: Beyond the landlord concession model? European Planning Studies, 21(10), 1706–1723.Google Scholar ↗
DeVellis, R. F. (2017). Scale development: Theory and applications (4th ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗
Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82.Google Scholar ↗
Henn, M., Weinstein, M., & Foard, N. (2015). A critical introduction to social research (2nd ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗
Mpogoro, J. E. G. (2013). Port congestion and its impact on logistics costs: The case of Dar es Salaam [Master’s thesis, University of Dar es Salaam].Google Scholar ↗
Mwisila, D. E. (2018). Productivity analysis of the general cargo container terminal at Dar es Salaam Port [Master’s thesis, Ardhi University].Google Scholar ↗
Notteboom, T., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2022). Container port competitiveness and performance. In J. P. Rodrigue (Ed.), Geography of transport systems (6th ed.). Routledge.Google Scholar ↗
Peteraf, M. A. (1993). The cornerstones of competitive advantage: A resource-based view. Strategic Management Journal, 14(3), 179–191.Google Scholar ↗
Rodrigue, J.-P., Debrie, J., Fremont, A., & Gouvernal, E. (2017). Port regionalization: Improving port performance by aligning capabilities and market requirements. Journal of Transport Geography, 61, 211-219.Google Scholar ↗
Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson.Google Scholar ↗
Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill-building approach (7th ed.). Wiley.Google Scholar ↗
Tongzon, J. L., & Heng, W. (2005). Port privatization, efficiency, and competitiveness: Some empirical evidence from container ports (or terminals). Transportation Research Part A, 39(5), 405–424.Google Scholar ↗
Tanzania Ports Authority. (2023). Annual statistics report 2022. TPA.Google Scholar ↗
The Citizen. (2023, June 6). Tanzania signs 30-year concession with DP World.Google Scholar ↗
UNCTAD. (2021). Review of maritime transport 2021. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.Google Scholar ↗
World Bank. (2020). Doing business 2020: Trading across borders. World Bank.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-1] Adams, J., Khan, H. T. A., Raeside, R., & White, D. (2016). Research methods for business and social science students (2nd ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Barros, C. P., & Peypoch, N. (2012). Productivity analysis of Indian Ocean container ports. European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research, 12(1), 77–95.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Bingireki, D. M. (2012). Operational performance of Dar es Salaam Port: An assessment from the user perspective [Master’s thesis, University of Dar es Salaam].Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Cachon, G., & Terwiesch, C. (2019). Matching supply with demand (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Dasgupta, M., & Sinha, S. (2016). Port privatization and efficiency: An Indian perspective. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 18(4), 409–427.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Debrie, J., Lavaud-Letilleul, V., & Parola, F. (2013). Shifting sands in port governance: Beyond the landlord concession model? European Planning Studies, 21(10), 1706–1723.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] DeVellis, R. F. (2017). Scale development: Theory and applications (4th ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Henn, M., Weinstein, M., & Foard, N. (2015). A critical introduction to social research (2nd ed.). SAGE.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Mpogoro, J. E. G. (2013). Port congestion and its impact on logistics costs: The case of Dar es Salaam [Master’s thesis, University of Dar es Salaam].Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Mwisila, D. E. (2018). Productivity analysis of the general cargo container terminal at Dar es Salaam Port [Master’s thesis, Ardhi University].Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Notteboom, T., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2022). Container port competitiveness and performance. In J. P. Rodrigue (Ed.), Geography of transport systems (6th ed.). Routledge.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Peteraf, M. A. (1993). The cornerstones of competitive advantage: A resource-based view. Strategic Management Journal, 14(3), 179–191.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Rodrigue, J.-P., Debrie, J., Fremont, A., & Gouvernal, E. (2017). Port regionalization: Improving port performance by aligning capabilities and market requirements. Journal of Transport Geography, 61, 211-219.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill-building approach (7th ed.). Wiley.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Tongzon, J. L., & Heng, W. (2005). Port privatization, efficiency, and competitiveness: Some empirical evidence from container ports (or terminals). Transportation Research Part A, 39(5), 405–424.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Tanzania Ports Authority. (2023). Annual statistics report 2022. TPA.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] The Citizen. (2023, June 6). Tanzania signs 30-year concession with DP World.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] UNCTAD. (2021). Review of maritime transport 2021. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] World Bank. (2020). Doing business 2020: Trading across borders. World Bank.Google Scholar ↗