As part of the ongoing East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) tour, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, alongside Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Energy, recently visited the Marine Storage & Terminal (MST) facility in Tanga, Tanzania. The high-level delegation aimed to assess the progress of the key infrastructure that is central to the EACOP downstream export system, set to significantly boost the region’s crude oil export capabilities.
The MST facility, designed to handle and store crude oil for export, features four large storage tanks with a combined capacity of 2 million barrels. This facility is critical to the EACOP project as it will serve as the gateway for transferring crude oil from storage to the Jetty and Load Out Facility (LOF), where it will be pumped and exported to international markets.
A key feature of the facility is the 2-kilometer trestle that links the onshore terminal to the offshore export jetty, ensuring a smooth flow for the loading and shipping of crude oil. In addition, vital infrastructure including Electrical, Instrumentation, Telecommunications, and Security (EITS) systems, along with the onshore abutment, have been fully completed, laying a solid foundation for operational efficiency.
The construction of the mooring and berthing dolphins, crucial for anchoring ships at the jetty, is currently 85% complete, demonstrating steady progress towards the facility’s operational readiness. During the visit, the delegation was briefed on key construction milestones, safety standards, and the anticipated commissioning timelines for the MST.
The facility is expected to be fully operational by Q1 2026, marking a significant milestone in the EACOP project and strengthening the region’s ability to export crude oil. The completion of the MST facility will not only boost Tanzania and Uganda’s energy sectors but will also have a transformative effect on regional infrastructure growth, economic integration, and energy development.
This visit further underscores the continued high-level political support and cross-border collaboration between Uganda and Tanzania in ensuring the success of the EACOP project, which is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of East African energy exports.
