Dar es Salaam Harbour is located at the head of Dar es Salaam Bay, in a sheltered inlet on the SE side of the city. It is the largest city and principal port of Tanzania, but also acts as a main port for several other countries in Central Africa, including Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

Approaching the port is direct from the open sea, through a buoyed channel, 140 m wide. The port of Dar es Salam consists of 4 berths.

During my voyage on board CV Centaurus, we visited the port of Dar es Salam three times – this port being my embarkation as well as my disembarkation port.

All our three entering maneuvers took place during night time, but I was able to record the departure maneuver once, on a wonderful day, in February.

In the port of Dar es Salaam, our vessel usually came starboard side alongside. Upon departure, the vessel had to perform a 180˚ swing to starboard side, with the help of two tugs – one pushing in the portside bow and the other pushing in the starboard quarter.

After the swing was completed, the vessel proceeded outside the port and through the channel into the sea – passing by the city of Dar es Salaam on the left side and by the rocky and sandy peninsula on the right.

It was a wonderful experience for me to watch the amazing colours of the shallow waters on both sides of the channel and the crowds of people buzzing around in the fish market or just walking along the shore.

On top of it, I was quite amazed by the beautiful city skyline, one of the most beautiful skylines I have ever seen… looking forward to coming back to Dar es Salam.

You can watch the Departure maneuver video here.