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Port of Mtwara

TZMYW🇹🇿Tanzania

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Port of Mtwara TZMYW

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About Port of Mtwara

Mtwara Port is located on the Indian Ocean coast of southern Tanzania. It is a deep-water harbor with facilities for handling general cargo and bulk commodities. The port serves as a key gateway for regional trade and resource development.

Background
The Mtwara Port was built during the British Colonial times in the city of Mtwara in southern Tanzania. The harbor at the Port of Mtwara was deepened during the colonial times by the British in 1948-1954, and a railway line was built connecting the port, as part of the Tanganyika groundnut scheme. Due to the failure of the scheme the port immediately lost value and the railway line was removed. The port was functional but underutilized for many years due to poor transport infrastructure, However, in the years of 2010-2011 the increased activity in oil and gas natural resources energy exploration caused a surge on operations. The Mtwara port is also an integral part of the Mtwara Development Corridor project and has recently seen major upgrades. The port also has a special economic zone attached to it and In December 2015 Alistair Freeports Limited injected $700,000 to upgrade the Export processing zone around the port area.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
20ft
Tidal Range
3ft
Elevation
10m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
No
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
Unknown
Repair Code
D

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
46975 →
GeoNames ID
12196467 →
Wikidata
Q25326957 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
TZMYW
Country
🇹🇿Tanzania
Time Zone
UTC+3
Feature Type
PRT (Port)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal breakwater
Shelter
Good

Region

Area
East Africa
Body of Water
Indian Ocean
Latitude
-10.2678°
Longitude
40.1978°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Mtwara?

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The approach to Mtwara is supported by 3 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Ras Msangamkuu Lighthouse at 4.2 NM to the NNE. Other aids include Ras Shuka (28.2 NM NW), Cabo Delgado (36.4 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

What sea or ocean is the Port of Mtwara on?

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The Port of Mtwara is situated on the Mozambique Channel in TZ. The area falls within the tropical climate zone with warm waters and seasonal monsoons, which can influence port operations and seasonal shipping patterns.

How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Mtwara?

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You can track vessels near Mtwara (TZMYW) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for TZMYW on the live map.

Where is the Port of Mtwara?

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The Port of Mtwara is a port in TZ. Its UN/LOCODE is TZMYW — the five-character code the UNECE assigns to trade and transport locations, and the identifier used on shipping documents and in port calls.

What does the UN/LOCODE TZMYW mean?

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The first two characters, TZ, are the ISO country code for TZ. The remaining three identify the location within that country. The code is issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and is the international standard for naming ports in trade and transport systems.

What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Mtwara?

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The Port of Mtwara operates in the UTC+3 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.