Port Chaos Hits Mombasa as Civil Unrest Closes Dar es Salaam Port

Civil turmoil in Tanzania has sent shockwaves through East Africa’s maritime network. The Port of Dar es Salaam, a major hub for the country and a critical gateway for landlocked neighbors, has been shut down indefinitely after escalating unrest following the general elections.

The crisis has forced freight operators and shipping lines to reroute a significant portion of cargo destined for Tanzania and its neighboring states to Mombasa, Kenya. Mombasa is now bearing the brunt of this diversion, with a sharp increase in shipping traffic, yard congestion, and operational pressure at its terminals. According to reports, operations at Dar were suspended amid curfews, internet blackouts, and widespread insecurity. The Tanzania Ports Authority cited safety concerns for its personnel and facilities as the reason for halting container handling, bulk cargo and vessel movements. Mombasa’s Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has confirmed it is seeing contingency volumes arriving from Tanzania. While KPA says it has plans in place to manage the surge, industry insiders warn that longer-term diversions may test the port’s infrastructure, especially container yard capacity and inland transport links.

For Tanzania’s economy, the shutdown comes at a heavy cost. Dar es Salaam’s port is vital not just for domestic trade but also for landlocked neighbors like Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the DRC. With cargo stuck and no immediate restart in sight, businesses are already calling for urgent measures to restore operations and regional trade confidence.

Meanwhile, Mombasa’s unexpected role as a regional lifeline underscores how political instability can reshape trade corridors overnight. For Kenyan authorities, easing congestion and ensuring smooth cargo handling is now not just a matter of business, but a key geopolitical balancing act.