Zambia and Tanzania have agreed on a structured monthly fuel vessel offloading arrangement aimed at strengthening the reliability and predictability of Zambia’s petroleum supply.

The agreement provides for the guaranteed offloading of one fuel vessel every month at the Port of Dar Es Salaam, reinforcing Tanzania’s role as a key energy gateway for landlocked Zambia.

Under the new operational framework, a fuel vessel carrying more than 100,000 metric tonnes will be berthed and offloaded between the 15th and 25th of each month. The Tanzania Port Authority (TPA) will oversee and facilitate the timely handling of the vessels, ensuring smoother port operations and uninterrupted fuel supply to Zambia.

This structured schedule is expected to improve planning, reduce delays, and enhance overall fuel logistics efficiency.

The agreement was jointly announced in Dar Es Salaam by Tanzania’s Minister of Energy, Mr. Deogratius Ndejembi, and Zambia’s Minister of Energy, Mr. Makozo Chikote, following a high-level technical engagement involving Permanent Secretaries and technical experts from both countries.

Both ministers emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the agreed operational decisions, noting that coordination and institutional discipline are essential to sustaining reliable fuel supply chains.

Mr. Ndejembi stated that the measures would significantly enhance the security and efficiency of diesel supply logistics for Zambia, while also noting that broader bilateral energy cooperation was discussed. He highlighted opportunities to expand collaboration into other energy sub-sectors, including electricity and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Mr. Chikote commended Tanzania for its continued cooperation and facilitation role, describing the arrangement as a reflection of the strong bilateral partnership and shared commitment to regional energy security.

Currently, more than 85 percent of Zambia’s diesel requirements are transported through the TAZAMA Oil Pipeline, a jointly owned infrastructure linking Dar Es Salaam to Ndola, which remains a cornerstone of Zambia’s petroleum supply system.