Abstract

This study investigates how berth capacity constraints at the Dar es Salaam Container Terminal drive up shipping costs and proposes targeted interventions to alleviate this bottleneck. A mixed‐methods design combined a structured survey of 90 industry professionals with 18 semi‐structured interviews. Quantitative analysis revealed that average berth occupancy stood at 78.4% (SD 9.2), with mean daily demurrage charges of USD 120.50 (SD 25.4). The berth‐capacity perception scale demonstrated strong reliability (Cronbach’s α = .81). Pearson correlation confirmed a robust association between occupancy and demurrage (r = .68, p < .01), and multiple regression showed berth occupancy as the strongest predictor of demurrage (β = .34, p < .001), explaining 58% of its variance. Qualitative themes excessive vessel queues and manual scheduling inefficiencies corroborated these findings. Building on this evidence, the paper recommends implementing an AI‐driven Port Community System, phased quay expansions, and public–private partnerships to optimize berth utilization, reduce vessel waiting times by up to 20%, and substantially lower demurrage costs.

Keywords

  • Berth Capacity
  • Shipping Costs
  • Demurrage
  • Container Terminal

References

  1. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
  2. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). Sage.
  3. Cullinane, K., & Wang, T.-F. (2021). Gate automation and inland logistics: Impacts on port efficiency. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 23(4), 543–560.
  4. Gupta, A., Verma, R., & Singh, M. (2017). Queuing theory applications in port performance analysis. International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 9(2), 123–138.
  5. Li, K. X., & Panayides, P. M. (2020). Toward optimal berth scheduling: A review of recent developments. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 135, 101821.
  6. Lun, Y. H. V., Lai, K.-H., & Cheng, T. C. E. (2016). Shipping and logistics management. Springer.
  7. Mangan, J., Lalwani, C., & Gardner, B. (2016). Port and terminal management (2nd ed.). Kogan Page.
  8. Moshi, P. (2019). Digitalization in East African ports: The case of Mombasa. Journal of Transport Geography, 74, 172–180.
  9. Notteboom, T., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2013). The corporate geography of global container terminal operators. Maritime Policy & Management, 40(5), 483–507.
  10. Ouma, S. (2021). Berth efficiency and performance metrics in sub‐Saharan Africa. Maritime Business Review, 6(1), 22–37.
  11. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research methods for business students (8th ed.). Pearson.
  12. TPA. (2024). Annual port performance report 2023. Tanzania Ports Authority.
  13. UNCTAD. (2020). Review of maritime transport 2020. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
  14. Wang, T.-F., & Yap, W.-Y. (2018). Cost implications of port demurrage: A comparative study. Maritime Policy & Management, 45(2), 167–182.
  15. Wilmsmeier, G., Sanchez, R. J., & Hoffmann, J. (2014). Optimal container terminal yard storage allocation and handling systems. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2410(1), 129–137.