Project Type: Port Infrastructure – Container Terminal Electrical Systems
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Commissioning Year: 2024
Status: Completed
Products Supplied: Hot-Dip Galvanized Cable Trays, Conduits (Electrical Raceways), Grounding Wires
Dar es Salaam Port is one of the most important maritime hubs in East Africa, serving as a gateway for trade routes connecting Tanzania with landlocked neighboring countries including Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda. To enhance cargo handling capacity and operational efficiency, the Tanzania Ports Authority initiated a major upgrade of the container terminal electrical systems.
Burkaf partnered with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the main contractor for the project, to supply hot-dip galvanized cable trays, conduits, and grounding wires. All products were required to withstand the highly corrosive marine environment of the port.
Highly Corrosive Marine Environment
Port facilities are exposed to salt spray, high humidity, and chemical pollutants. Standard cable management products would rapidly degrade under these conditions. All products required exceptional corrosion resistance to ensure long-term reliability.
Strict Corrosion Resistance Testing
The project mandated that all products pass rigorous corrosion resistance tests before site acceptance, ensuring they could withstand years of exposure to the harsh marine climate.
Heavy-Duty Mechanical Requirements
Container terminal environments involve heavy equipment movement, vibration from cranes and vehicles, and potential physical impacts. Cable trays and conduits needed high mechanical strength to maintain integrity under these demanding conditions.
Critical Electrical Safety for Port Operations
As a major commercial port, any electrical failure could cause significant operational disruptions. The grounding system had to provide reliable protection against electrical faults and lightning strikes.
Continuous Port Operations During Construction
The electrical system upgrade was carried out while the port remained fully operational, requiring careful material coordination and minimal disruption to cargo handling activities.
Burkaf supplied hot-dip galvanized cable trays specifically designed for marine environments. The hot-dip galvanized finish provides:
Superior corrosion resistance against salt spray and humidity
High mechanical strength for heavy cable loads
Long service life with minimal maintenance requirements
Compliance with international standards for marine applications
Rigid steel conduits with hot-dip galvanized finish were provided for protecting individual cable runs in exposed areas. The conduits offer:
Enhanced mechanical protection for critical circuits
Resistance to salt spray and moisture ingress
Reliable performance under vibration from port equipment
Easy installation and maintenance access
Dedicated grounding wires and connectors were supplied to ensure:
Complete electrical continuity across the cable tray system
Reliable connection to the port's main grounding grid
Protection against electrical faults and lightning strikes
Compliance with international electrical safety standards for port facilities
All products underwent rigorous corrosion resistance testing per project requirements, including:
Salt spray testing to verify coating durability
Thickness verification of galvanized coating
Visual and mechanical inspection after exposure simulation
Products were selected and tested to perform reliably under Dar es Salaam's coastal conditions, including:
High ambient humidity year-round
Salt spray exposure from ocean winds
Temperature variations between dry and rainy seasons
The Dar es Salaam Port container terminal electrical systems upgrade was successfully completed and commissioned in 2024.
Burkaf's hot-dip galvanized cable trays, conduits, and grounding wires provided reliable electrical infrastructure for the port, earning recognition from CHEC and the Tanzania Ports Authority.
All products passed the required corrosion resistance tests, validating their suitability for the highly corrosive marine environment.
The project enhanced the port's cargo handling capacity and operational reliability, supporting East Africa's maritime trade growth.
This successful project demonstrates Burkaf's capability in port and marine infrastructure – one of the most demanding environments for electrical equipment. The combination of hot-dip galvanized cable trays, conduits, and grounding wires provided a complete, corrosion-resistant electrical support solution for the container terminal. Burkaf continues to serve maritime and port facilities worldwide, delivering products engineered to withstand harsh coastal conditions while ensuring electrical safety and operational reliability.
Burkaf – Cable Tray System Expert. Providing Corrosion-Resistant Electrical Support for Port and Marine Infrastructure.
