Linkage between port efficiency and international tradeꞌs performance in Tanzania a case of Dar es Salaam port authority

The general objective of the study is to assess the Linkage between port efficiency and international trade’s performance in Tanzania. Specifically the study assesses the level of technology at Dar es Salaam port, quality of service and clearing procedures vis-à-vis international trade’s performance. Since Tanzania government acknowledges the importance of physical infrastructure as a tool for facilitating both local, external trade and investments, the country’s speed to develop the same has been very low. For instance, Dar es Salaam port is supported by poor infrastructure, a situation that reduces the ability of the port to function as gateway to both local and external markets. This study was done at the Port of Dar es Salaam which involved a sample of 100 respondents where a self-administered questionnaire, were used to get primary data, while secondary data were obtained through library and internet search (i.e. documentary review). Data analysis involved tabulation of the results and graphics to illustrate some important outcome of the research. The data collected were analyzed using, a Software Package for Statistical Sciences (SPSS). Then findings revealed that there is a significant influence of the three independent variables namely, technology level at port, quality of service and clearing procedures on port efficiency towards international trade’s performance. Finally the study called for the improvement of level of technology, quality of service and clearing procedures at Dar es salaam port so as to speedup International trade perfomance. Equally port users request for reduction of days to clear cargos and centralization of documentation procedures to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.