Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017.

This Act consisting of 76 articles, aims at (i) establishing the Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC); (ii) regulating ports, shipping services, maritime environment, safety and security, and related matters; (iii) consequently, amending the Ports Act, Cap. 166 and the Ferries Act, Cap. 173. The TASAC's main objective is to enhance the benefits of maritime transport in Mainland Tanzania by (i) promoting effective management and operations of shipping agencies, ports, and shipping services; (ii) maintaining the maritime environment and cargo safety and security; (iii) promoting efficiency, economy, and reliability; (iv) fostering the development and expansion of the maritime transport sector; (v) promoting competition in the shipping agency business; and (vi) entering into contractual obligations with other persons or body of persons to secure the provision of quality and efficient shipping agencies services. Among other things, the Corporation shall have an exclusive mandate as to the carrying out of (i) clearing and forwarding functions relating to the import and export of minerals, mineral concentrates, machinery, equipment, products or extracts related to minerals and petroleum, arms and ammunition, live animals, Government trophies or any other goods as the Minister may by order published in the Gazette prescribe (art. 7).
The functions of the Corporation concerning the regulation of maritime administration, maritime environment, safety, and security shall be to (i) administer the Merchant Shipping Act; (ii) exercise port state control of all foreign ships and flag state control of ships registered in Mainland Tanzania; (iii) regulate and approve marine services safety equipment’s and marine services providers; (iv) regulate ferries; (v) coordinate maritime search and rescue operations; (vi) regulate, coordinate, disseminate information and create awareness on matters the protection and preservation of the marine and maritime environment, its safety and security. While the main functions of the Corporation concerning the regulation of maritime transport services shall be to (i) issue, renew, and cancel licenses; (ii) establish standards for regulated goods and services; (iii) establish standards for the terms and conditions of supply of the regulated goods and services; (iv) regulate rates and charges; (v) facilitate the resolution of complaints and disputes; (vi) monitor and superintend the conduct and practices of shipping lines and other regulated service providers; (vii) require all ships loading or discharging cargo in Mainland Tanzania ports to submit to the Corporation the required data; (viii) register shippers, shipping agents, and clearing and forwarding agents.
The Act deals also with (i) the licensing of private shipping agents; (ii) administration, management, and financial matters concerning the Corporation; (iii) liability of the TASAC. The amendments of the Ports Act and the Ferries Act concern the change of name of the relevant authorities which are replaced by the Shipping Agencies Corporation.