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This study aimed at exploring challenges facing the clearing and forwarding Logistics agencies in Dar es Salaam Port. The study employed a case study research design. This was preferred because the researcher depended mostly on the view of the respondents to arrive at conclusions from the study findings. The study employed simple random technique to select a sample of 58 respondents and purposive sampling was used to select TRA and TPA officials. Data were collected using interviews, questionnaires and documentary review. The study was guided by an assumption that clearing and forwarding services can be improved through improving port infrastructure, modern information system, free corruption and well skilled forwarders.
The study found that inventory management, supply chain management and tracking, transportation, warehousing, information technology, &inventory management and tracing are the main logistics activities performed in the C&F companies. C&F companies take longer time to deliver goods to clients. In addition to that, port officials have low level ability in management and infrastructures are poor to offer support for port managers to carryout activities on time. The majority of port officials have insufficient knowledge and skills essential for effective performing duties, consignment endorsements procedures takes longer period to be cleared and transaction costs charges for clearing consignment in port authority are extremely higher.
The study recommends that IT and transport infrastructure, competence of private and public logistics service providers, customs and other border agencies, free corruption and transparency and reliability of the trading system and supply chains are highly recommended. In addition to that, the study recommends the agencies to ensure that all its stakeholders and users partake in the contemplated port community system so that members of the trade fraternity can e-communicate with one another, create the facility for cargo to be cleared prior to arrival of the vessel irrespective whether or not the manifest has been submitted and extend the terms of the license agreement of bonded terminals to provide for the acceptance and storage of un-cleared containers. |
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