By Guest Writer
As part of an ongoing review of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development and Tanzania’s Deputy Minister of Energy today visited the Marine Storage & Terminal (MST) facility in the Tanga Region. The senior delegation appraised construction progress and assessed the readiness of this critical export infrastructure.
The MST facility is a key component of the EACOP downstream export system. It comprises four crude oil storage tanks with a total capacity of approximately 2 million barrels, a dedicated power generation unit, and export pumping systems. This infrastructure will facilitate the transfer of crude oil from storage to the Jetty and Load Out Facility (LOF) for shipment to international markets.
A 2-kilometre trestle connects the export jetty to the onshore terminal, linking storage with offshore loading operations. Key supporting systems—including Electrical, Instrumentation, Telecommunications, and Security (EITS) infrastructure and the onshore abutment—are now fully completed.
Construction of the mooring and berthing dolphins has reached approximately 85% completion, indicating steady progress toward full operational readiness.
During the site tour, project officials briefed the ministers on construction milestones, safety protocols, and commissioning timelines. The entire Marine Storage & Terminal facility is scheduled to begin commissioning in the first quarter of 2026.
This visit underscores the continued high-level political support and cross-border collaboration between Uganda and Tanzania in delivering the EACOP project, which is expected to play a transformative role in regional energy development, infrastructure growth, and economic integration. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
