Construction started last week on the new US$10-billion port and special economic zone in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, according to news reports.
Reuters news agency reported that president Jakaya Kikwete had attended a ground breaking ceremony last week Friday, announcing that construction of phase I of the project would take three years.
Government officials said the port would be able to handle ships of up to 8 000 TEUs once the first phase was completed, with room for expansion.
The whole project, including roads, railways and the economic zone is expected to take 10 years to complete.
The project is reportedly backed by China Merchants Holdings’ Oman’s State General Reserve Fund.
