DAR ES SALAAM, March 17 -- TANZANIA is approaching a critical turning point in its logistics and transport system. The decision to begin moving cargo directly from the Port of Dar es Salaam through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) represents more than just a technical upgrade; it signals a strategic shift that could redefine the countrys role as a regional trade hub.

For decades, the Port of Dar es Salaam has served as a lifeline for Tanzania and several landlocked neighbouring countries. Yet congestion, slow cargo clearance and costly handling procedures have often limited its full potential. The current system, which requires cargo to be transported to inland depots such as Pugu before being transferred onto SGR trains, has created ine...