Ports Act, 2004 (No. 17 of 2004).

This Act provides for the establishment of the Tanzania Ports Authority, defines its functions, powers and internal organization and lays down rules relative to management of and navigation in marine ports and inland waterways ports.
The Act consists of 95 sections divided into 15 Parts.
This Act shall apply to all seaports and inland waterways ports in Tanzania mainland and Tanzania Zanzibar. The Tanzania Ports Authority, established as a body corporate, shall administer land and waters within the limits of ports, regulate and control the navigation in ports and the protection of the environment, regulate and control the handling of dangerous goods in ports, manage and maintain ports and provide port services, promote measures for the protection of the environment within ports and carry out all other functions as defined by this Act or functions as the Minister may assign to it. The Authority has assigned to it various powers to carry out its functions such as the power to take water from a natural watercourse, the power to enter on land and the power to cut trees.