According to the Global Risks Report 2022, ports and inland waterways are especially vulnerable to climate change , as 80 per cent of the world’s volume of goods go through seaports, which in turn are exposed to storms, coastal erosion and sea-level rises.
Researchers discovered that most ports are still not even planning for climate change, leaving entire supply chains at growing risk of disruption.
“Climate change is not something that will happen in the future – it is happening now and is already too late to avoid. Countries are feeling the impacts and we need to adapt rapidly,” said Doogie Black, Lead Analyst for Climate Sense, a consultancy with two decades of providing strategic and practical advice on climate change adaptation.
Speaking to The Guardian Newspaper, The TradeMark East Africa Country Director Monica Hangi said the TradeMark in partnership with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) have already prepared a Green Port Action Plan that will ensure that the port is climate change sensitive.
Hangi said 30 per cent of the action plan has already been implemented, adding that the project will increase the port’s sustainability if fully implemented.
She without giving specific details said the project among other things seeks to develop Environment Management Systems which are in line with global best practices beyond legal requirements.
“We have been embarking on initiatives to develop the port’s efficiency but also realize that for this to happen; development and environment should go hand in hand if we are to achieve Sustainable development. In this regard, we have already embarked on a Green Port Action plan and its implementation is 30 per cent so far,” Hangi said.
She added, “As part of the plan, the project seeks to minimize environmental pollution and safeguard the port from hazardous substances by implementing controls,”
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), annual adaptation costs in developing countries are currently about $70 billion annually and are predicted to at least double by 2030 and more than quadruple by 2050.
The World Bank has also determined, for example, that for transition economies, every $1 invested in climate-change infrastructure adaptation yields $4 in benefits.
Adaptation to climate change – Principles, requirements and guidelines, delivers a systematic framework for adaptation and long-term planning in a way that dovetails with existing management systems and ensures continuous improvements.
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors’ in 2017 approved a $345 million credit and a $12 million grant to the new Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project (DSMGP) geared towards capacity of the Port of Dar es Salaam to 25 million tons.
The investments in the Port also sought to improve waiting time to berth from 80 hours to 30 hours as well as overall productivity.
The DSMGP was part of a larger ongoing investment program for the overall development of the Port of Dar es Salaam with the support of several development partners.
The Tanzanian Government contributed about $63 million through Tanzania Ports Authority, while Trade Mark East Africa supported improvements in the spatial and operational efficiency of the port.
According to the TPA Director General Eric Hamissi, the port’s target is to handle 18 million tonnes of cargo this financial year and targets collecting 1trn/-.
