Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017

Chapter 415

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Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017

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Chapter 415

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Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017

Chapter 415

Published in Tanzania Government Gazette 48 on 1 December 2017
Assented to on 28 November 2017
Commenced on 23 February 2018 by Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act (Date of Commencement) Notice, 2018
[This is the version of this document as it was from 30 June 2019 to 30 June 2021.]

[Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Act, 2019 (Act 9 of 2019) on 30 June 2019]

An Act to make provisions for the establishment of a shipping agencies corporation and for maritime administration to regulate ports, shipping services, maritime environment, safety and security and related matters.ENACTED by the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania

Part I – Preliminary provisions

1. Short title and commencement

This Act may be cited as Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017 and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, appoint.

2. Application

This Act shall apply to matters of maritime administration, maritime environment, safety and security and maritime transport services in Mainland Tanzania.[section 2 amended by section 62 of Act 9 of 2019]

3. Interpretation

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires—“airport” means a defined area on land or water including any building, installations and equipment intended to be used either wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and surface movement of aircraft with facilities for passengers and cargo;[definition of “airport” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“airway bill” means a document that accompanies goods shipped by an international air courier providing detailed information about the shipment;[definition of “airway bill” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“ammunition” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Firearms and Ammunition Control Act;[Cap. 123 ][definition of “ammunition” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“bill of lading” means a document issued by ocean carrier, or its agent or master of a ship on behalf of the carrier, to the shipper as a contract of carriage of specified goods and confirms receipt for cargo accepted on board for transportation by the carrier and signifies title to goods by the holder upon its presentation, at specified destination, to the carrier or its agent;“Board” means the Board of Directors established under section 21;“cargo discharge list” means a document prepared by a shipping agent summarising goods carried on board a ship for discharge at a specified port, which is designed to facilitate a port terminal operator to identify cargo items with their locations on board ship, measurements and weight in order to plan the unloading work and it includes information of bills of lading number for each cargo item which is supposed to be discharged at the port;“cargo loading list” means a document prepared by a shipping agent summarising cargo booked for loading on board a ship at a specified port, which is designed to facilitate a port terminal operator and ship master to identify cargo items with their measurements or weight for planning the work of loading and stowing the cargo and it includes information of shipping orders number for each cargo item which is supposed to be loaded from the port;“clearing and forwarding” means the function of processing shipping documents for import or export cargo through ports, pipelines, airports border-post customs control and port formalities and procedures for necessary approval by relevant authorities and includes arrangement of physical delivery of cargo to consignee or ship master;[definition of "clearing and forwarding" amended by section 63(b) of Act 9 of 2019]“code of conduct” means a set of rules outlining social norms and responsibilities or proper practices for an individual or Corporation;“committee” means a committee of the Board established under section 24;“consignee” means the party to whom goods accepted for carriage on board are addressed and that party is named as such in the bill of lading, airway bill or consignment note;[definition of “consignee” substituted by section 63(c) of Act 9 of 2019]“consignment note” means a document prepared by a consignor and countersigned by the carrier as a proof of receipt of consignment for delivery at the destination;[definition of “consignment note” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“Corporation” means the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation established under section 4;“delivery order” means a document issued by a shipping agent, on behalf of a carrier, to a named party approving a port terminal operator or dry port to undertake physical delivery of cargo under a specified bill of lading to the named party;“Director General” means the Director General appointed under section 30;“dry port” means an inland common user facility which is directly linked to a maritime port by road or railway, having appropriate infrastructure, equipment and storage facilities operating as a centre for transhipment of sea bound cargo and containers to and from inland destinations and includes Inland Clearance Depot and Empty Container Depot;[definition of “dry port” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“export” means to take or cause goods to be taken out of Mainland Tanzania;[definition of “export” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“ferry” includes a boat or ship, whether owned by the government or private person, for conveying passengers or goods in a passage over any river, arm of the sea, lake or part of a lake from any place to which the public have access to any other place but does not include a boat or a ship owned or operated by security forces;[definition of “ferry” substituted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“firearm” shall have meaning ascribed to it under Firearms and Ammunition Control Act;[Cap. 223][definition of “firearm” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“gas” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Petroleum Act;[Cap. 392][definition of “gas” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“Government trophy” means the Government trophy as referred to under the Wildlife Conservation Act;[Cap. 383][definition of “Government trophy” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“import” means to bring or to cause goods to be brought into Mainland Tanzania from a foreign country;[definition of “import” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“inland waterways port” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Ports Act;[Cap. 166]“integrity pledge” means a formal expression of commitment by a regulated service provider to abide to ethical business practices prepared by the Corporation in support of a national campaign against corruption;“licence” means a permit issued by the Director General for carrying out maritime transport services under this Act;“live animal” means any kind of live vertebrate and invertebrate animal and the young and egg thereof;[definition of “live animal” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“manifest” means a document providing complete list of cargo on board a named ship and includes information and details of each bill of lading covering all such cargo, name of master of the ship and the agent of the ship at a particular port of loading or discharge;“maritime transport services” include port services, dry port services and shipping services;“mineral” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Mining Act;[Cap. 123][definition of “mineral” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“Minister” means the Minister responsible for maritime transport;“oil” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Petroleum Act;[Cap. 392][definition of “oil” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“petroleum” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Petroleum Act;[Cap. 392][definition of “petroleum” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“port” means a sea port or inland waterways port of Mainland Tanzania, whether on the coast or elsewhere and in relation to execution of exclusive mandate and shipping agency under this Act, a port shall include airport;[defintion of “port” substituted by section 63(d) of Act 9 of 2019]“port services” means any service rendered by a port terminal operator within a port in any manner including loading and unloading of goods on board vessels, shore handling of goods, storage of goods, handling of passengers carried on vessels and handling of refined petroleum products, edible oils and natural or liquidified gases on vessels;[definition of “port services” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“principal” means an ocean carrier for whom a shipping agent acts on his behalf in the business of shipping;“public register” means an official list of decisions, information and transactions which is required to be available to the public in accordance with section 55;“Registrar” means the registrar appointed under section 31;[Cap. 165]“regulated service provider” means a person providing regulated services;“regulated service” includes any service supplied or offered for supply in maritime transport sector and includes maritime environment, safety, security, port services, shipping agency, clearing and forwarding, cargo consolidation and deconsolidation, gross mass verification and miscellaneous port services;“repealed Acts” means the Tanzania Central Freight Bureau Act and the Shipping Agency Act;[Caps. 177 and 415]“sea port” shall have the meaning ascribed to it under the Ports Act;[Cap.166]“ship” means a floating vessel which is self-propelled and capable of carrying passengers or cargo;[definition of “ship” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]“ship tallying services” means commercial services for verifying and counting individual cargo units or items undertaken during loading or unloading on board ship or during stuffing of cargo into or de-stuffing from a container in relation to general cargo, dry bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo, break bulk cargo, roll-on roll-off units, live animals, containerised cargo, or any cargo determined by the Corporation and includes preparation of statement of facts of a ship, submission of ship tally reports to relevant parties, and keeping records of accidents or incidents;“shipper” means a consignor of cargo named in the bill of lading airway bill or consignment note as party responsible for initiating a shipment, and who is responsible for payment of freight cost or forming agreement with the carrier on how the freight cost has to be paid;[definition of "shipper" amended by section 63(e) of Act 9 of 2019]“shipping agent” means a Corporation or a company engaged in providing shipping agency services for sea ports and inland waterways ports in accordance with this Act;“shipping services” include shipping agency, clearing and forwarding agency, cargo consolidation and deconsolidation, ship tallying, gross mass verification and miscellaneous port services; and“stowage plan” means a diagrammatical illustration prepared by the carrier, shipping agent or master of the ship, indicating locations of cargo relating to each bill of lading on board a ship and includes bay plan in case of container ships;“vessel” includes any ship, boat, sailing vessel, ferry or other vessel of any description used in navigation.[definition of “vessel” inserted by section 63(a) of Act 9 of 2019]

Part II – Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation

4. Establishment of Corporation

(1)There is hereby established a Corporation to be known as Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation, also known in its acronym as TASAC.

(2)The Corporation established under subsection (1) shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, in its own name be capable of:—

(a)suing and being sued;

(b)acquiring, holding, investing and alienating movable or immovable property;

(c)exercising the powers and performing the functions conferred upon it by or under this Act;

(d)borrowing and lending;

(e)entering into any contract or other transaction, and doing or endeavouring to do all such other acts and things which a body corporate may lawfully perform, do or endeavour to do.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2), the Attorney General shall have the right to intervene in any suit or matter instituted by or against the Corporation.

(4)Where the Attorney General intervenes in any matter pursuant to the provisions of subsection (3), the provisions of the Government Proceedings Act, shall apply in relation to the proceedings of that suit or matter as if it had been instituted by or against the Government.[Cap. 5]

(5)The Director General shall have a duty of notifying the Attorney General of any impending suit or intention to institute a suit or matter for or against the Corporation.

5. Objectives of the Corporation

It shall be the underlying objective of the Corporation in carrying out its functions and exercising its powers provided for under this Act, to enhance the benefits of maritime transport in Mainland Tanzania by:—

(a)promoting effective management and operations of shipping agencies;

(b)promoting effective operations of ports and shipping services;

(c)maintaining cargo safety and security;

(d)promoting and maintaining maritime environment, safety and security;

(e)promoting efficiency, economy and reliability;

(f)fostering the development and expansion of the maritime transport sector;

(g)promoting competition in the maritime transport services; and[paragraph (g) substituted by section 64 of Act 9 of 2019]

(h)entering into contractual obligations with other persons or body of persons in order to secure the provision of quality and efficient shipping services and maritime environment, safety and security, whether by means of concession, joint venture, public private partnership or other means and to delegate its own functions of providing shipping services and maritime environment, safety and security to one or more parties.[paragraph (h) substituted by section 64 of Act 9 of 2019]

6. Functions of a shipping agent

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act, the functions of a shipping agent in relation to shipping agencies shall be to:—

(a)represent the principal in shipping business services;

(b)arrange for arrival or departure of ships;

(c)arrange for provision of port services through port operators, customs and other Government or public institutions, firms or private companies or individuals;

(d)carry out cargo documentation services including release of bills of lading, delivery orders and lodgment of manifest, cargo loading list or discharge list and stowage plans;

(e)carry out ship documentation including inward and outward ship clearance;

(f)arrange for procuring and processing of documents including production of bills of lading;

(g)perform activities required for dispatch of ships;

(h)arrange for provision of services pertaining to crew matters;

(i)arrange for provision of ship stores, supplies, ship repairing and any other related services;

(j)arrange for transshipment services and shipment of overlanded or short-shipped cargo;

(k)arrange for container stuffing and de-stuffing services;

(l)procure warehousing and cargo storage services;

(m)canvas for cargo and market shipping services of ships on behalf of ship owners, operators or charterers;

(n)provide information on booked cargo, level of utilisation of allotted space onboard the ship and statistics on cargo availability;

(o)attend to claims on behalf of principals;

(p)provide regular reports to the principal on the position and performance of ship while in port;

(q)monitor, track and coordinate all activities concerning the movement of full and empty containers;

(r)keep proper record on any financial transaction in relation to shipping business of the principal including port disbursements;

(s)make payments for services and goods on behalf of the principals;

(t)collect freight charges and other moneys from shippers, consignees or other parties on behalf of the principal;

(u)handle and monitor through bill of lading;

(v)keep record for all loaded, discharged, stuffed and de-stuffed cargo items;

(w)do or arrange for any other services related to shipping agency business, provided that such services do not contravene the provisions of this Act; and

(x)carry out other activities as necessary, advantageous or proper for the development of shipping industry.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7, the Corporation shall only perform the functions specified under this section where the following circumstances occur:—

(a)the principal requests the Corporation to perform such functions on the principal's behalf;

(b)a shipping agent fails to perform functions specified under this Act; or

(c)a shipping agent's licence is suspended or revoked and the principal has not appointed another shipping agent.

(3)For the purposes of this section the words “through bill of lading” means a bill of lading made for carrying goods covering more than one mode of transport including ocean, lake, river and land transport where necessary.

7. Exclusive mandate of the Corporation

(1)The Corporation shall have exclusive mandate as to the carrying out of:—

(a)clearing and forwarding functions relating to import and export of minerals, mineral concentrates, machineries, equipment, products or extracts related to minerals and petroleum, firearms and ammunition, live animals, Government trophies fertilizers, industrial sugar, domestic sugar, edible cooking oil, wheat, oil products, gas, liquidified gas and chemicals or any other liquid related products or any other goods as the Minister may by order published in the Gazette prescribe;[paragraph (a) amended by section 65(a)(i) and (ii) of Act 9 of 2019]

(b)documentation in relation to shipping agency by receiving from the principal import and export cargo documents including bills of lading and manifests and transmitting such documents to a shipping agent to which representation of a principal has been delegated; and

(c)ship tallying services.

(d)shipping agency functions in relation to—

(i)tanker ships, pure car carriers vessel, cruise vessel, exhibition vessel, casual caller, chartered vessel and military ship;

(ii)minerals, mineral concentrates, machineries, equipment, products or extracts related to minerals and petroleum, firearms and ammunition, live animals, Government trophies, fertilizers, industrial and domestic sugar, edible or cooking oil, wheat oil products, gas, liquidified gas and chemicals or any other liquid related products"; or

(iii)any other goods as the Minister may by order published in the Gazette prescribe.

[paragraph (d) added by section 65(a)(iii) of Act 9 of 2019]

(1A)For the purpose of subsection (1)(d), the term “tanker ship” means a ship designed to transport liquids or gases in bulk including oil products, gas, liquidified gas and chemicals or any other liquid related products.[subsection (1A) inserted by section 65(b) of Act 9 of 2019]

(2)The Corporation shall prescribe the minimum standards for, and approve shipping agency contracts.

(3)Any person who performs or facilitates performance of any function within exclusive mandate of the Corporation contrary to this section, commits an offence and shall upon conviction be liable to a fine of not less than twenty thousand United States dollar or its equivalence in Tanzania shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years or to both.

8. Establishment of Advisory Committee

(1)There shall be an Advisory Committee for the purposes of evaluating applications and advising the Director General on private shipping agency licence.

(2)The Advisory Committee shall consist of five members appointed by the Minister as follows:—

(a)a senior officer from Customs and Excise Department of Tanzania Revenue Authority;

(b)two representatives from the Ministry responsible for maritime transport, one of whom shall be a senior legal officer;

(c)a representative from the Ministry responsible for industry and trade; and

(d)a representative from the Immigration Department.

(3)The Corporation shall provide Secretariat to the Committee.

(4)The functions, proceedings and tenure of the Committee under subsection (1) shall be prescribed in the regulations.

9. Power to obtain information, documents and evidence

(1)Where the Corporation has reason to believe that a person is capable of supplying information, producing a document or giving evidence that may assist in the performance of any of its functions, the Corporation may, by summons signed by the Director General served on that person, require that person to:—

(a)furnish the information in writing signed by him or in the case of a body corporate, signed by a competent officer of the body corporate;

(b)produce the document to the Corporation; and

(c)appear before the Corporation to give evidence.

(2)A summons under this section shall specify the required time and manner of compliance.

(3)The Corporation may require that any evidence referred to under this section be given under oath or affirmation, and in that case, the Director General or any authorised officer of the Corporation may administer the oath or affirmation.

(4)A person shall not be excused from complying with a summons under this section on the grounds that compliance may tend to incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty, save that information, documents and evidence provided in answer to a summons shall not be admissible in any proceeding against the person other than proceedings under this Act.

(5)A person who without lawful excuse refuses or fails to comply with a summons under this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding three hundred thousand shillings, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, such fine and imprisonment.

(6)Where the Director General has reason to believe that a person, is in possession or control of any document that may assist the Corporation in the performance of any of its functions the Director General or authorised officer of the Corporation may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for grant of a warrant permitting the Corporation to enter into any premises at reasonable times to search or inspect the premises for documents in the possession or under the control of the person and make copies of, or take extracts from those documents.

(7)A person, who knowingly gives false, misleading information, or evidence in purported compliance with a summons under this section commits an offence.

(8)A person, who refuses, prevents, hinders or obstructs an authorised officer from entry to the premises to perform his duties under this section commits an offence.

Part III – Regulation of maritime sector

10. Regulation of maritime sector

(1)The Corporation shall regulate maritime transport services, maritime safety, maritime security and prevention of pollution from ships and maritime activities in accordance with the provisions of this Act.[subsection (1) substituted by section 66 of Act 9 of 2019]

(2)In the performance of its regulatory functions the Corporation shall take into account the principles of openness, fairness, impartiality, non-discrimination, avoidance of intentional predominance status in the sector and encourage competition in the regulated sector.

11. Regulation of maritime environment, safety and security

(1)The functions of the Corporation in relation to regulation of maritime administration, maritime safety, maritime security and prevention of pollution from ships and maritime activities shall be to:—

(a)administer the Merchant Shipping Act;

(b)exercise flag state control on Tanzanian ships and port state control on foreign ships;[paragraph (b) substituted by section 67(b) of Act 9 of 2019]

(c)regulate and approve marine services safety equipment's and marine services providers;

(d)regulate ferries;

(e)coordinate maritime search and rescue operations;

(f)regulate and coordinate the protection and preservation of marine environment;

(g)disseminate information and create awareness on matters related to maritime environment, safety and security; and

(h)perform such other functions as may be conferred on the Corporation by this Act or any other written laws.

[subsection (1) amended by section 67(a) of Act 9 of 2019]

(2)In addition to the functions specified under this section the Corporation may undertake such other functions as the Minister may assign to it.

12. Regulation of maritime transport services

(1)The functions of the Corporation in relation to regulation of maritime transport services shall be to:—

(a)issue, renew and cancel licences;

(b)establish standards for regulated goods and regulated services;

(c)establish standards for the terms and conditions of supply of the regulated goods and services;

(d)regulate rates and charges;

(e)monitor the performance of the regulated service providers;

(f)facilitate the resolution of complaints and disputes;

(g)monitor and superintend the conduct and practices of shipping lines and other regulated service providers;

(h)monitor freight rates and surcharge so as to ensure there is correct application during the period of their validity;

(i)call for, register and appraise freight rates, currency and bunker adjustment factors and other charges or surcharges in relation to maritime transport services;

(j)require all ships loading or discharging cargo in Mainland Tanzania ports to submit to the Corporation:—

(i)ship particulars;

(ii)freight rates;

(iii)copies of cargo freighted manifest and charter parties for both import and export;

(iv)copies of operational or service agreements;

(v)notification of any imposition of new charges;

(vi)condition of services; and

(vii)any other relevant information;

(k)register shippers, shipping agents and clearing and forwarding agents;

(l)superintend the conduct of shipping agents;

(m)disseminate information about matters relevant to the functions of the Corporation; and

(n)perform such other functions as may be conferred on the Corporation by this Act or any other written laws.

(2)In addition to the functions specified under this section the Corporation may undertake such other functions as the Minister may assign to it.

Part IV – Licensing of private shipping agents

13. Application for shipping agency licence

(1)Any person intending to carry out the business of shipping agency shall:—

(a)apply to the Director General on the prescribed form; and

(b)pay the application fees as may be prescribed in the regulations.

(2)A person shall be licensed as a shipping agent under this Part if that person:—

(a)is a citizen of Tanzania;

(b)is a company incorporated under the Companies Act in which more than sixty per cent of the share capital is held directly or indirectly by a citizen of Tanzania;[Cap. 212]

(c)possesses the prescribed qualifications for the proper carrying out the business of shipping agency; and

(d)has no criminal record inside or outside the country.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2), the Director General shall not issue a licence for shipping agency if the applicant or its shareholder is ship owner, ship operator, ship charterer, dry port operator or clearing and forwarding agent.[subsection (3) substituted by section 68 of Act 9 of 2019]

(4)A licence issued under this Act shall not be transferable to any other person.

14. Suspension and revocation of licence

(1)Where the Director General is of the opinion that a person to whom a licence has been issued under this Act has contravened the terms and conditions of the licence to carry out shipping agency business, the Director General may, by notice in writing, suspend or revoke the licence for any period specified in the notice.

(2)A notice issued under subsection (1) shall not be made against a shipping agent without a written notice requiring the shipping agent to show cause within thirty days on why such notice should not be made.

(3)Where the shipping agent to whom a notice was issued fails to demonstrate that he is capable of carrying out the business as authorised, the Director General shall proceed to suspend or revoke the licence.

(4)The Director General shall assign reasons for suspension or revocation of the licence to a person whose licence has been suspended or revoked under this section.

(5)Where the Director General has suspended or revoked the licence under subsection (1), the Corporation shall assume the functions of the private shipping agent until such time the principal appoints another agent.

15. Capital requirements

(1)The Minister shall, upon consultation with the Corporation by order published in the Gazette, prescribe the minimum paid up share capital to be maintained by a private shipping agent.

(2)The Minister may, from time to time, by order published in the Gazette, vary the minimum paid up share capital prescribed under subsection (1).

16. Margin of solvency

(1)A person carrying out business as a shipping agent shall, at all times while carrying on such business, maintain a margin of solvency of not less than the amount prescribed bythe Minister.

(2)The Minister shall prescribe the method of calculating the margin of solvency of a shipping agent.

17. Restriction on transfer of credit and dividend

A shipping agent shall not at any time declare credit or pay any dividend or make any transfer from profit if the payment or transfer results in the shipping agent not meeting the margin of solvency requirement provided under this Act.

18. Power to issue directives

The Director General may issue to a private shipping agent directives necessary for the purpose of efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act.

19. Maintenance of records

A private shipping agent shall maintain such records as may be prescribed.

20. Offences under this Part

A shipping agent acting in contravention of this Part commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine provided for under section 57.

Part V – Board of the Corporation

21. Establishment of the Board

(1)There shall be a Board of Directors which shall be responsible for overseeing the management of business and affairs of the Corporation.

(2)The Board shall consist of:—

(a)a Chairman who shall be a non-executive, appointed by the President; and

(b)six other members who shall be appointed by the Minister from amongst persons of qualifications and experience in maritime transport, legal, engineering, business administration, management, finance and accounts as shall enable members to perform the functions of the Board.

(3)The composition, tenure, quorum, proceedings and meetings of the members of the Board, shall be as provided for in the Schedule to this Act.

22. Functions of the Board

(1)The Board shall oversee and supervise the management in the performance of the functions of the Corporation, and shall ensure adherence to the governing laws and procedures.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Board shall:—

(a)provide strategic guidance and formulate policies for operation and management of the Corporation;

(b)conduct managerial oversight and review the activities and performance of management of the Corporation;

(c)secure and ensure efficient use of resources, including approval of annual work plan, annual budget and supplementary budget;

(d)approve strategic and investment plans and operations manual;

(e)carry out the appraisal of the Corporation's strategic plan;

(f)evaluate the performance of the entire management team and take necessary measures;

(g)appoint management staff;[paragraph (g) amended by section 69(a) of Act 9 of 2019]

(h)approve performance reports of the Corporation including report on disciplinary matters of management staff;[paragraph (h) amended by section 69(b) of Act 9 of 2019]

(i)exercise disciplinary powers over management staff;[paragraph (i) amended by section 69(c) of Act 9 of 2019]

(j)recommend to the relevant authorities the organisation structure and scheme of service;

(k)approve management reports on quarterly basis;

(l)recommend to the relevant authorities salary structure, allowances, incentives and fringe benefits and conditions of service for employees;

(m)approve code of conduct and procedures;

(n)approve and supervise financial regulations and staff rules;

(o)approve the appropriation of surplus funds generated;

(p)approve any pension schemes for employees;

(q)approve the disposal of capital items; and

(r)perform such other functions as may deem fit for the achievement of the objectives of the Corporation.

23. Powers of the Board

(1)The Board shall, in respect of the performance of the functions have powers to:—

(a)approve projects subject to Public Procurement Act for the purpose of the Corporation, not included within a programme or annual work plan and budget; and[Cap. 410]

(b)consider legislative proposals relating to shipping services and recommend their enactment to the Minister.

(2)The Board may give directives to the Director General in relation to the carrying out of any of the functions of the Corporation.

(3)The Board may co-opt any person whose presence is in its opinion desirable to attend and participate in the deliberation of a meeting of the Board or committee and such person shall have no right to vote.

24. Committees of the Board

(1)The Board may form and appoint from among its members, such number of committees as it deems necessary for purposes which, in the opinion of the Board, would be better administered through committees.

(2)The Board may appoint a member to a committee who may or may not be a member of the Board and such member shall hold office for such period as the Board may determine.

(3)The Board may, subject to such conditions or restrictions as it deems necessary, delegate to any committee or employee of the Corporation any functions or powers vested in it by this Act or any other written law, except for powers to prescribe fees, charges and commissions, borrow or lend money.

(4)Any power or function so delegated shall be exercised or performed by the committee in the name and on behalf of the Board.

(5)The Board may exercise any power conferred upon it or perform any function under this Act or any other written law, notwithstanding the delegation of the power or function made.

25. Undue influence

A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a member of the Board or Committee if, owing to the nature of the office he holds, is likely to exert undue influence on any matter to which the Corporation is responsible.

26. Conflict of interest

(1)A member of the Board or an employee of the Corporation shall be considered to have a conflict of interest for the purpose of this Act, if he has or acquires any pecuniary or other interests that would conflict with the proper performance by that person of his functions or exercise of powers as a member of the Board or employee of the Corporation.

(2)Where at any time a member of the Board or employee of the Corporation has a conflict of interest in relation to:—

(a)any matter before the Corporation for consideration or determination; or

(b)any matter which the Corporation would reasonably expect to be likely to come before it for consideration or determination;

that member or employee shall immediately declare the interest held by him to the members of the Board or the Director General and refrain from taking part or any further part, in the consideration and determination of the matter.

(3)Upon the Board becoming aware of any conflict of interest, it shall make a determination as to whether that conflict is likely to interfere with the proper and effective performance of the functions of the Board and the member or employee who holds conflict of interest shall not vote on the matter under consideration.

(4)When the Board determines that the conflict of interest is likely to interfere significantly with a member's or employee's proper and effective performance, competence and integrity, such member or employee shall resign.

(5)The Board shall report to the Minister any determination by the Board that a conflict of interest is likely to interfere significantly with the effective performance of the functions and duties of the member of the Board or employee of the Corporation.

(6)A member of the Board or employee of the Corporation shall be considered to have breached the code of conduct if:—

(a)he fails without reasonable cause to make declaration of his interests as required; or

(b)he knowingly makes a false or misleading declaration in material particular thereby affecting a decision of the Board or Corporation, and

that person shall be guilty of a misconduct the effect of which will be resigning from office.

27. Fees and remuneration

The Chairman and members of the Board shall be paid fees and such remuneration as shall be set out in their letters of appointment or as may be determined by the relevant authority.

28. Power to set rates and charges

(1)The Board shall have the powers to establish, set and review rates and charges.

(2)When exercising its powers under subsection (1), the Board shall have regard to:—

(a)the costs of making, producing and supplying the goods or services;

(b)the desire to promote competitive rates and attract the market;

(c)any relevant benchmarks including international benchmarks for prices, costs and return on assets in comparable industries;

(d)the financial implications of the determination;

(e)the consumer and investor interests;

(f)the return on assets in the maritime transport industry;

(g)any other relevant sector legislation; and

(h)any other factors the Board considers relevant.

(3)The Corporation shall by order, publish in the Gazette the rates, tariffs and charges determined by the Board.

29. Power to conduct inquiry

(1)The Board may conduct an inquiry where it considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of carrying out its functions.

(2)The Board shall conduct an inquiry before exercising powers to:—

(a)grant, renew or cancel a licence;

(b)regulate any rate or charge; and

(c)adopt a code of conduct.

(3)The Minister may direct the Board by notice in writing to conduct an inquiry and specify the subject matter.

(4)Subject to subsection (3), the Minister may specify time within which the Board shall submit a report.

(5)The Board shall give notice of inquiry by:—

(a)publishing a notice in the widely circulated newspapers specifying the purpose of the inquiry, the time within which submission may be made to the Board, the form in which submission shall be made, the subject matter of the inquiry, and in the case of an inquiry conducted at the directive of the Minister, the terms of reference thereof; and

(b)sending written notice of the inquiry including the information in paragraph (a), to:—

(i)regulated service providers, known to the Corporation whose interests the Corporation considers are likely to be affected by the outcome of the inquiry;

(ii)industry and consumer organisations which the Corporation consider may have an interest in the matter; and

(iii)the Minister and institutions having responsibilities relevant to the functions of the Corporation.

(6)The Minister shall, by order published in the Gazette, make rules for conducting inquiries under this section.

Part VI – Administration and management of the Corporation

30. The Director General

(1)There shall be the Director General of the Corporation who shall also be the chief executive officer responsible to the Board for the proper administration and management of the functions and affairs of the Corporation.

(2)The Director General shall be appointed by the President through competitive procedures in accordance with the Public Service Act on such terms and conditions as provided for in the scheme of service.[Cap. 298]

(3)The Corporation shall meet from its own funds all such expenses incurred in the course of recruitment process of the Director General.

(4)A person shall not be qualified for appointment as Director General unless he:—

(a)is a holder of at least a post graduate degree from a recognised university or its equivalence; and

(b)possesses at least eight years' experience in senior managerial position in one or more of the field of management, maritime transport, port operations, law, economics, finance, engineering or business administration.

(5)The Director General shall serve for a term of five years renewable once on such terms and conditions as shall be set out in the scheme of service and letter of his appointment.[subsection (5) substituted by section 70 of Act 9 of 2019]

(6)The Director General shall, subject to the policy and directives set-forth by the Board, undertake all financial, administrative and technical management of the Corporation.

(7)The Director General shall be the Secretary to the Board.

31. Registrar

(1)There shall be a Registrar who shall be responsible for ships, seafarers, wrecks, maritime environment, safety and security matters of the Corporation.

(2)The Registrar shall be appointed by the Minister through competitive procedures taking into account the Public Service Act on such terms and conditions provided for in the scheme of service.[Cap. 298]

(3)A person shall not be eligible for appointment as Registrar unless he:—

(a)is a holder of at least a post graduate degree from a recognised university or its equivalence in any of the field of nautical science, maritime safety, engineering, naval architecture, maritime law and policy, maritime transport, marine environmental management; or[paragraph (a) amended by section 71(a) of Act 9 of 2019]

(b)is a holder of a first degree from a recognized university and a Master Mariner or Chief Engineer Officer in accordance with the International Convention on Standard of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW Reg. II/2 or III/2) with seagoing service; and[paragraph (b) substituted by section 71(b) of Act 9 of 2019]

(c)possesses at least eight years of working experience, five years of which shall be at senior management post in a maritime sector.

(2)In the performance of functions under this section, the Registrar shall be accountable to the Minister.[Please note: numbering as in original.]

32. Establishment of departments, units and sections

(1)The Board may, for facilitating performance of its functions, establish departments, units and sections as may be determined by the Board.

(2)There shall be employed by the Board departmental directors each with responsibilities for a particular function.

(3)The Board shall appoint a person as departmental director only if he has provable knowledge of at least post graduate degree and appropriate experience of at least eight years in relation to the relevant function.

(4)A departmental director appointed under subsection (3) shall serve the Corporation for a term of five years and may be reappointed for such term or terms as the Board may deem fit.

33. Officers and other staff of the Corporation

(1)There shall be employed by the Board such number of officers, staff and employees of the Corporation in such categories and levels as may be necessary for the efficient discharge of the functions of the Corporation and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

(2)The Corporation may appoint consultants and experts of the Corporation in various disciplines on such terms and conditions as the Corporation may determine.

(3)The Corporation shall comply with the competitive selection procedures in appointing employees, consultants or experts.

34. Delegation of powers

(1)The Director General may, by the instrument of delegation and subject to subsection (3), authorise an officer of the Corporation to perform any of his powers.

(2)Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the delegated power shall be exercised in accordance with the instrument of delegation.

(3)Notwithstanding the powers conferred to the Director General under this section, the Director General shall not delegate the powers to grant, renew or cancel a licence.

Part VII – Financial provisions

35. Funds of the Corporation

(1)The funds and resources of the Corporation shall consist of—

(a)moneys appropriated by Parliament;

(b)fees, charges, or commissions that shall be prescribed;

(c)all other payments or property due to the Corporation in respect of any matter incidental to its functions;

(d)service provider levy not exceeding 1.5 percent of turnover;

(e)such sums of money or property which may become payable to or vested in the Corporation under this Act or any other written laws; and

(f)any grants, donations, bequests, money derived from loans and other payment or property due to the Corporation in respect of any matter incidental to its functions.

(2)All income and moneys of the Corporation shall be deposited into the bank account of the Corporation.

36. Application of revenue

(1)The revenue of the Corporation for any financial year shall be applied in defraying the following charges—

(a)working and establishment expenses and expenditure on, or provision for the discharge of the functions of the Corporation;

(b)the salaries, fees, remuneration, pensions, superannuation, allowances and gratuities of the officers, agents, employees, experts and consultants of the Corporation;

(c)the remuneration, fees and allowances of the members of the Board and committees;

(d)interest on any loan raised by the Corporation;

(e)sums required to the Government or to any other public authority towards repayment of any loan made by the Government or by any other public body to the Corporation;

(f)sums required to be transferred to a sinking fund or otherwise set aside for the purpose of making provision for the repayment of borrowed money;

(g)such sums as may be deemed appropriate to be set aside in respect of depreciation or renewal of the property of the Corporation, having regard to the amounts set aside out of revenue under paragraphs (a) and (f);

(h)sums required to be transferred to a maintenance fund for the purpose of making provision for the proper and regular maintenance of basic and operational infrastructure and buildings;

(i)the cost, or any portion thereof, of any works, vehicles, facilities and machinery;

(j)equipment or appliances not being a renewal of the property of the Corporation;

(k)such sums by way of contribution, for the purposes associated with the objects of this Act as the Corporation may determine; and

(l)any other expenditure authorised by the Corporation and properly chargeable to revenue account.

(2)The balance of the revenue of the Corporation shall be applied to the creation of general reserve and such other reserves as the Corporation may deem fit.

(3)All profits and losses of business entities shall be separately shown in the audited accounts of the Corporation.

37. Financial year

The financial year of the Corporation shall be the period of one year ending on the 30^th June.

38. Budget

(1)The Corporation shall, before the end of each financial year prepare a budget of the following financial year showing estimates of its receipts and expenditure for the following year.

(2)The Corporation shall, subject to subsection (1) and in accordance with section 22 of the Budget Act, submit to the Permanent Secretary the annual budget and every supplementary budget for approval.[Cap. 439]

(3)On receipt of the budget estimates, the Permanent Secretary shall—

(a)approve the budget estimates with or without variations; or

(b)reject the budget estimates and give reasons for rejection.

39. Accounts and Audit

(1)The Corporation shall keep proper books of account and maintain proper records of its operation in accordance with commercial accounting standards.

(2)The accounts of the Corporation may at any time and shall, at the end of each financial year, be audited by the Controller and Auditor-General or any other person appointed by him.

(3)The Corporation shall cause to be kept all proper books and audit records of accounts of the income, expenditure and assets of the Corporation.

(4)Within a period of three months after the end of each financial year, the Corporation shall submit to the Controller and Auditor-General the accounts of the Corporation together with:—

(a)a statement of financial performance during the year;

(b)a statement of the financial position of the Corporation on the last day of that year;

(c)a statement of change in equity during the year;

(d)a statement of cash flow for the year; and

(e)notes, comprising of a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes.

40. Annual report

(1)The Corporation shall on or before the 30th September of each year, prepare an annual report in respect of financial year up to immediately preceding 30th June, and submit the report to the Minister who shall lay it before the National Assembly.

(2)The annual report shall consist of:—

(a)detailed information regarding the physical and financial performance of the Corporation during the year to which it relates;

(b)a copy of the audited accounts of the Corporation together with the auditor's report; and

(c)any other information as the Corporation may be required to provide under this Act.

(3)The provisions of the Public Corporations Act shall apply to the Corporation with respect to annual reports, accounts, audit, financial supervision and laying of reports before the National Assembly.[Cap. 257]

Part VIII – Liability of the Corporation

41. Exclusion of liability of the Corporation

Subject to section 50, where the Corporation outsources services or goods from a contractor, subcontractor, concessionaire or agent in the course of discharging its functions, the Corporation shall not be liable in any circumstances for any loss, damage, injury or cost sustained by any person as a result of any default, negligence, breach or other wrongful act or omission of contractor, subcontractor, concessionaire, agent or employee of such contractor, subcontractor, concessionaire or agent.

42. Liability for released equipment

Subject to section 50, where the Corporation releases to a shipper, consignee or any other person equipment belonging to a principal with specific, general or implied mandate from the principal for such release, the Corporation shall not be liable for any loss or damage to the equipment.

43. Liability for directive of a principal

(1)Where the principal has directed the Corporation to do or not to do an action pertinent for fulfilling its duty as agent, the Corporation shall not be liable for any loss, damage or cost occasioned by doing or not doing the action as directed by the principal.

(2)The shipper, consignee or any other person suffering from the action in subsection (1) shall claim for loss, damage or cost directly from the principal.

44. Liability of body of persons

Where an offence is committed by a body of persons, a person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a Chairman, member, Director General, or an employee of the Corporation shall be deemed to have committed that offence unless that person proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or connivance and that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence having regard to the nature of his functions and all other circumstances.

Part IX – General provisions

45. Directives by Minister

(1)The Minister may give to the Board directives in relation to the discharge of the functions and the exercise of the powers of the Board under this Act.

(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1), the Minister may under his hand, give directives relating to:—

(a)the occurrence of any emergency, in the interest of public or relations with the Government of another country; or

(b)discharge or facilitate the discharge of an obligation binding the Government by virtue of its being a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement.

(3)The Board shall give effect to any directives given by the Minister, save that, the Government may:—

(a)pay compensation for damage caused to the Corporation by reason of its compliance with the directives of the Minister; or

(b)make grants to the Corporation for defraying or contributing towards loss which it may sustain by reason of compliance with the directives of the Minister.

46. Power of entry and inspection

(1)An authorised officer of the Corporation may:—

(a)enter and inspect at any reasonable time the premises in which the regulated service is carried out; or[paragraph (a) amended by section 72(a) of Act 9 of 2019]

(b)inspect and take copies of any record required under this Act to be kept in respect of regulated service or any other records relating to such service,[paragraph (b) substituted by section 72(b) of Act 9 of 2019]

for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provisions of this Act are being complied with.

(2)Any person who hinders or obstructs an authorised officer in the performance of his duties under this Act, commits an offence.

47. Exemption from application of certain provisions of the Act

(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the Minister, may by order, exempt any parastatal organisation carrying out the business of shipping from application of any or all provisions of this Act.

(2)An order made pursuant to subsection (1) shall set out the terms and conditions attached to the exemption and state the time during which that order shall remain in force.

48. Integrity pledge

(1)A regulated service provider shall be required to comply with the integrity pledge.

(2)The integrity pledge referred to under subsection (1) implies the following national requirements:—

(a)the conduct of regulated services with utmost integrity;

(b)desist to engage in any arrangement that undermines or is in any manner prejudicial to the country's financial and monetary systems, in particular, all earnings, payments or receivables derived from or in respect of regulated services shall be received in, and accounted for in Tanzania;

(c)desist to engage in any arrangement that undermines or is otherwise prejudicial to Tanzania's tax system;

(d)disengage in any arrangement that is inconsistent with the country's economic objectives, policies and strategies;

(e)disengage in any arrangement that undermines or is otherwise prejudicial to Tanzania's national security; and

(f)maintenance of satisfactory and effective insurance coverage against losses, injuries or damage to environment, communities, individuals and properties, that may be occasioned in the course of carrying out regulated services.

(3)Any person who fails to comply with the integrity pledge commits an offence.

49. Corporation not to provide services in certain circumstances

The Corporation shall not provide to any person, services gratuitously or at a rate or charge which is insufficient to meet the cost involved in the provision of such services unless the person concerned undertakes to make good the amount of the loss incurred.

50. Engagement of contractor, subcontractor and supplier

(1)The Corporation shall not arrange, outsource or engage a contractor, subcontractor or supplier for procuring services or goods in the course of performing its functions unless the contractor, subcontractor or supplier is licenced or registered by a relevant authority or institution.

(2)Any person who contravenes subsection (1), commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine of not less than twenty million shillings.

51. Inconsistency

Where there is any inconsistency between the provisions of this Act and the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, the provisions of this Act shall prevail and the Merchant Shipping Act shall be read down to the extent of such inconsistency.[Cap. 165]

52. Emblem, design or representation of Corporation

(1)The Corporation shall have the exclusive right to the use of such emblem, design or representation as it may select or devise and thereafter display or exhibit it in connection with its activities or affairs.

(2)Any person who uses an emblem, design or representation identical with that of the Corporation or which so resembles the emblem, design or representation as to deceive or cause confusion or to be likely to deceive or cause confusion, commits an offence.

53. Maintenance of records

The Corporation shall maintain proper records related to finance, operations, human resources and all other functions performed by the Corporation.

54. Confidentiality

(1)For the purposes of this Act, any person who discloses any material to the Corporation, whether under compulsion of law or otherwise, that person may claim confidentiality in respect of the whole or any part of the material.

(2)Any person who discloses confidential information otherwise than as authorised by the Corporation commits an offence.

55. Public Register

(1)There shall be a Public Register kept by the Corporation at its principal office, which shall be available for public inspection at all times during business hours.

(2)There shall be kept at the sub offices of the Corporation copies of the Public Register which shall be accessible for inspection by members of the public.

(3)The Minister shall from time to time upon the advice of the Corporation, determine the categories of decisions and information which would be placed on the Public Register.

(4)The Corporation shall exclude from the Public Register any document or part of a document which is confidential.

(5)The Corporation shall ensure that where possible the Public Register shall be accessible to the public by internet.

56. General offence

Where a person contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, for which no specific penalty is provided, commits an offence and on conviction, shall be liable to a fine of not less than twenty million shillings but not exceeding forty million shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years but not exceeding five years or to both.

57. Offences in relation to shipping agency

Any person who in relation to shipping agency business:—

(a)furnishes any return, written information or explanation containing any particulars which to his knowledge are false or incorrect;

(b)fails to disclose information; or

(c)acts in contravention of any provision of this Act, commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to a fine of not less than twenty thousand US dollars but not exceeding forty thousand US dollars or its equivalent in Tanzania shillings or to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years but not exceeding five years or to both.

58. Compounding of offences

(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act relating to penalties, where a person admits in writing that he has committed an offence under this Act, the Director General or a person authorised by him in writing may, at any time prior to the commencement of the proceedings by a court of competent jurisdiction compound such offence and order such person to pay sum of money, not exceeding one half of the amount of the fine to which such person would otherwise have been liable to pay if he had been convicted of such offence.

(2)Where an offence is compounded in accordance with subsection (1) and proceedings are brought against the offender for the same offence, it shall be a good defence for the offender to prove to the satisfaction of the court that the offence with which the offender is charged has been compounded under subsection (1).

(3)Where the person fails to comply with the compounding order issued under this section within the prescribed period, the authority may:—

(a)in addition to the sum ordered, require the person to pay an interest at the rate prescribed in the regulations; and

(b)enforce the compounding order in the same manner as a decree of a court for the payment of the amount stated in the order.

59. Redress

(1)A person who is not satisfied with a decision of the Corporation under this Act may complain to the Minister within twenty one days from the date of the decision.

(2)Any person aggrieved by a decision or order of the Minister made or given pursuant to this Act, may seek redress in the High Court within thirty days from the date on which the decision or order is given or made.

(3)Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the manner and conditions to handle complaints and disputes shall be prescribed in the regulations by the Minister.

60. International obligations

(1)Where the United Republic of Tanzania is a party to an international or regional agreement or convention relating to maritime transport services, maritime environment, safety and security the Minister shall, in consultation with the Corporation:—

(a)initiate and prepare legislative proposals for purposes of implementing the agreements; and

(b)identify appropriate measures necessary for the implementation of the agreements.

(2)Where the Government is involved in negotiation of an international agreement or convention on matters relating to maritime transport services, maritime environment, safety and security, the Minister shall, prior to submission for ratification of agreement or convention by the National Assembly, communicate to the other relevant institutions with a view to assessing the likely impact on the other sectors.

(3)The Minister may, from time to time by notice in the Gazette, publish ratified international agreements or conventions relating to maritime transport services, maritime environment, safety and security including amendments and other international instruments which apply to the United Republic of Tanzania, the reservations, if any, entered by the United Republic of Tanzania as well as international convention including amendments and replacements or other international instruments which ceases to apply to the United Republic of Tanzania.

(4)The Corporation shall keep a register of all international agreements or conventions relating to the maritime transport services, maritime environment, safety and security to which the United Republic of Tanzania is a party.

(5)International or regional agreements or conventions related to maritime administration, maritime environment, safety and security shall apply to the United Republic of Tanzania.

61. Regulations

(1)The Minister may make regulations for the better carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Minister may in consultation with the Corporation make regulations:—

(a)prescribing the conditions and terms upon which any specified facilities or services or categories of facilities or services within the scope of the functions of the Corporation shall be provided to the public;

(b)related to business terms and conditions to be observed by shippers and consignees and the prohibition of acts or omissions in contravention of such business terms and conditions;

(c)prescribing the procedure for management of complaints and dispute resolution;

(d)prescribing procedures for redress under this Act;

(e)prescribing the minimum paid up share capital to be maintained by shipping agents;

(f)prescribing the method of calculating the asset and liabilities and the amount of solvency to be maintained by shipping agents;

(g)prescribing procedures for regulation of:—

(i)maritime safety, security and environment; and

(ii)maritime transport services regulation including dry port, clearing and forwarding agency, miscellaneous port services, cargo consolidation and de-consolidation and shipping agency;

(h)prescribing professional and financial qualifications and professional conduct in relation to registration or licensing of maritime transport service providers;

(i)prescribing procedures relating to freight bookings; and

(j)providing for any matter which, in the opinion of the Corporation, is necessary for the efficient performance of its functions.

(3)The Minister may, for the purpose of this Act make such rules and orders as may be required for effective performance of the functions under this Act.

(4)The regulations, rules, code of conduct or orders made under this section shall be published in the Gazette.

62. Power to make internal rules

The Board may make internal rules in respect of its functions and operations within the framework of the provisions of this Act.

63. Notification of orders

Where any order, directive or requirement made or given by the Board or the Minister under this Act, is not required to be published in the Gazette, the order, directive or requirement shall be brought to the notice of persons affected or likely to be affected by it in any manner, determined by the Board or the Minister.

64. Repeal of Caps. 177 and 415

(1)The Tanzania Central Freight Bureau Act and the Shipping Agency Act are hereby repealed.

(2)Notwithstanding the repeal of the Tanzania Central Freight Bureau Act and the Shipping Agency Act, any contract, document, licence, permission or resolution prepared, made, granted, or approved under the repealed Act or any other written laws, shall so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or any other written laws, continue to be deemed to have been prepared, made, granted or approved under the corresponding provisions of this Act until revoked, replaced or rescinded.

(3)Any subsidiary legislation and all exemptions made or given under the provisions of the repealed Act or any other written laws, which were in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall, so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, until revoked, replaced or rescinded remain in force as if they were made under this Act.

(4)All members of Licensing Committee appointed pursuant to the provisions of the repealed Act to perform the functions specified under the Act shall be deemed to be members appointed under this Act until the appointment is revoked.

(5)The repeal of the Tanzania Central Freight Bureau Act and the Shipping Agency Act, shall not affect any public right, interest, title, power established or exercisable or any status or capacity existing prior to the repeal or affect any duty, obligation, liability or burden of proof imposed, created or incurred prior to the repeal or affect any investigations, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any right, interest, power, duty, obligation, liability or otherwise.[Caps. 177 and 415]

65. Transfer of staff and their rights

(1)As from the effective date of the Act, every employee and staff of the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority who are necessary for the purpose of the Corporation shall be, as the case may be, deemed to have been employed or transferred to the Corporation on the terms and conditions not less favourable than those applicable to them immediately before the effective date.

(2)Where any employee or staff of the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority related to maritime transport industry is not absorbed by the Corporation, he may be transferred to any other Ministry or public institution, and his service shall be deemed to be continuous and if he was a member of any statutory, voluntary pension or any other superannuation scheme, such employee shall continue to be governed by the same laws and regulations governing such scheme and the employer shall contribute to such scheme accordingly.

(3)Nothing in this section shall operate so as to prevent any employee of the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority related to maritime transport industry from resigning or being terminated from employment.

(4)Every employee and staff of the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority related to maritime transport industry whose service is not deemed to have been employed or transferred to the Corporation or is not transferred to any other Ministry or public institution shall be paid terminal benefits in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the terms and conditions of his service immediately before the termination.

(5)Where any person who is transferred to the Corporation under subsection (1) is a member of any statutory, voluntary pension fund or any other superannuation scheme he shall, for the purposes of this Act, continue to be governed by the same laws under those funds or schemes as if he had not been transferred to the service of the Corporation and, for the purposes of the laws governing those funds or schemes, his service shall be deemed to be the service of the Corporation.

66. Rights of a person in an undertaking

This Act shall not operate so as to affect in a prejudicial way the rights of any person under any undertaking or licence granted in connection with maritime transport industry prior to the effective date of this Act or any undertaking entered into prior to the effective date of this Act.

67. Transfer of assets and liabilities

(1)As from the effective date, all assets, interests, rights, privileges, liabilities or obligations vested in the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority related to maritime transport industry shall be transferred to and be vested in the Corporation without further assurance.

(2)Where any question arises as to whether any particular property, or any particular asset, interest, right, privilege, liability or obligation has been transferred to or vested in accordance with provisions of subsection (1), a certificate under the hand of the Minister shall be conclusive evidence that the property, asset, interest, right, privilege, liability or obligation was or was not so transferred or vested.

68. Transfer of maritime sector regulatory functions

From the effective date of this Act, the maritime sector regulatory functions formerly performed by the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority shall be transferred and performed by the Corporation.

69. Continuation and completion of disciplinary proceedings

(1)Where on the effective date of this Act, any disciplinary proceeding was pending against any employee of the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority related to maritime transport industry who has joined the Corporation, such proceeding shall be carried on and completed by the Corporation and, where on the effective date any matter was in the course of being heard or investigated or had been heard or investigated by Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority related to maritime transport industry but no order or decision had been rendered, the Corporation shall complete the hearing or investigation and such order, ruling or directives as it could have been made by the Corporation under which the proceedings or matter were or was vested before the effective date.

(2)Any order, ruling, or finding made or given in relation to any proceedings or investigation pursuant to subsection (1), shall be treated as an order, ruling or finding of the Corporation and have the same force or effect as if it had been made or given by the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority related to maritime transport industry before the effective date.

(3)For the purpose of this Part, “effective date” means the date on which this Act comes into operation.

Consequential amendments

Part X – Amendment of the Ports Act, Cap. 166

70. Construction

This section shall be read as one with the Ports Act, hereinafter referred to as the “principal Act”.[Cap. 166]

71. Amendment of section 23

The principal Act is amended in section 23, by deleting the reference to the “Surface and Maritime Transport Regulatory Authority Act” and substituting for it the reference to the “Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act”.

72. Amendment of section 24

The principal Act is amended in section 24(1), by deleting the phrase “Surface and Maritime Transport Regulatory Authority” and substituting for it the phrase “Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation”.

73. Amendment of section 50

The principal Act is amended in section 50 by:—

(a)deleting the word “SUMATRA” appearing in subsection (1) and substituting for it the word “TASAC”; and

(b)deleting subsection (2).

Part XI – Amendment of the Ferries Act, Cap. 173

74. Construction

This section shall be read as one with the Ferries Act, hereinafter referred to as the “principal Act”.[Cap. 173]

75. General amendment

The principal Act is amended by deleting the term “Authority” wherever it appears in the Act and substituting for it the term “Corporation”.

76. Amendment of section 1

The principal Act is amended in section 1(2), by:—

(a)deleting the definition of the term Authority; and

(b)inserting in its appropriate alphabetical order the following definition:“Corporation” means the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation established under section 4 of the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act.

Schedule (Made under Section 21(3))

1.Appointment, composition and tenure of the office of the Board

(1)The Board shall consist of:—

(a)the Chairman who shall serve for a term of four years renewable once;

(b)a representative from higher learning institutions qualified in one or more of the field of commerce, management or maritime transport;

(c)a senior officer from Customs and Excise Department of Tanzania Revenue Authority;

(d)a law officer from the Attorney General's Chambers;

(e)a senior member from the Ministry responsible for maritime transport;[Please note: Act 9 of 2019 purports to substitute the words "shipping agency", but it seems as if the intention was to substitute the words "shipping matters". The amendment has been applied to substitute the words "shipping matters". ][item (e) amended by section 73 of Act 9 of 2019]

(f)a representative of the private sector who shall serve for a term of two years renewable once and shall have a minimum of five years of experience in Ports and shipping industry; and

(g)a representative of the general public who shall serve for two years renewable once and shall have a minimum of five years of experience in trade and commerce.

(2)A member appointed under subparagraphs (1) (b),(c), (d) and (e)—

(a)shall, unless his appointment is sooner terminated by the appointing authority or he ceases in any other way to be a member, hold office for a period of three years but shall be eligible for re-appointment once; and

(b)may at any time resign from office by giving notice in writing addressed to the Minister, and from the date specified in the notice or, if no date is so specified from the date of the receipt of the notice by the Minister, he shall cease to be a member.

(3)In appointing members of the Board, due regard shall be had to gender.

2.Vice ChairmanMembers of the Board shall elect from among themselves a Vice Chairman of the Board who shall, subject to his continuing to be a member, hold office for a term of one year from the date of his election, and shall be eligible for re-election.

3.Board meetings

(1)The Board shall ordinarily meet quarterly at times and places as it deems necessary for the transactions of its business as required under this Act.

(2)The Chairman, or in his absence, the Vice Chairman, may at any time call an extraordinary meeting of the Board, and may call an extraordinary meeting upon a written request by majority of the members in office.

(3)The Chairman or in his absence the Vice Chairman shall preside at every meeting of the Board.

(4)In absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, a member delegated in writing by the Chairman or in his absence, the Vice Chairman shall preside over the meeting.

4.QuorumThe quorum at any meeting of the Board shall be one half of the members.

5.Decision of the Board

(1)Subject to subparagraph (2), matters proposed at a meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes of members present and voting, and in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote in addition to his deliberative vote.

(2)A decision may be made by the Board without a meeting, by circulation of the relevant papers among the members and the subject matter be considered at a meeting of the Board.

6.Minutes of the meetings

(1)The Board shall cause to be recorded and kept the details of all business conducted or transacted at its meetings, and the minutes of each meeting of the Board shall be read and confirmed, or amended and confirmed, at the next meeting of the Board and signed by the person presiding at that meeting.

(2)Any minutes purporting to be signed by the person presiding at a meeting of the Board shall, in the absence of proof of error, be deemed to be a correct record of the meeting.

7.Vacancies not to invalidate proceedingsThe validity of any act or proceeding of the Board shall not be affected by any vacancy among its members or by any defect in the appointment of any of them.

8.Proof of documentAny document purporting to be a document duly executed or issued under the seal of the Corporation or on behalf of the Corporation shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be a document so executed or issued without further proof unless the contrary is shown.

9.Appointment of temporary memberWhen any member of the Board is, by reason of absence from the country, illness or other sufficient cause unable to perform his duties as a member of the Board, the appointing authority may appoint a temporary member in his place, and the temporary member shall hold office until the resumption of duty of the substantive member or until the term of office of the substantive member expires, whichever occurs first.

10.Board to regulate its own proceedingsSubject to the provisions of this Schedule, the Board may regulate its own proceedings.

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History of this document

01 July 2022 amendment not yet applied

Amended by Finance Act, 2022

01 July 2021 amendment not yet applied

Amended by Finance Act, 2021

30 June 2019 this version

Amended by Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Act, 2019

23 February 2018

Commenced by Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act (Date of Commencement) Notice, 2018

01 December 2017

Published in Tanzania Government Gazette 48

Read this version

28 November 2017

Assented to

Cited documents 2

Act 2

1.	Tanzania Harbours Authority Act	18 citations
2.	Ferries Act	7 citations

Documents citing this one 1

Judgment 1

1.	Bassam Company Limited vs Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Limited & Cosco Shipping Lines Co, Ltd (Civil Case 237 of 2019) [2022] TZHC 11061 (1 June 2022)

Subsidiary legislation

Title
Kanuni za Marekebisho ya Kanuni za Uhakiki wa Shehena za Mwaka 2024	Government Notice 477 of 2024
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Performance Benchmarks) Regulations, 2022	Government Notice 116 of 2022
Kanuni za Uwezeshaji wa Usafiri Majini za Mwaka 2024	Government Notice 429 of 2024
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Facilitation of Maritime Traffic) Regulations, 2024	Government Notice 416 of 2024
Kanuni za Marekebisho ya Kanuni za Usajili wa Wasafirishaji kwa Njia ya Maji za Mwaka 2024	Government Notice 408 of 2024
Kanuni za Marekebisho ya Kanuni za Ulinzi wa Mizigo na Usalama wa Shughuli za Kibandari za Mwaka 2024	Government Notice 406 of 2024
Kanuni za Ulinzi wa Mizigo na Usalama wa Shughuli za Kibandari, 2023	Government Notice 387 of 2023
Amri ya Tozo za Wakusanyaji na Watawanyaji wa Mizigo ya Mwaka 2023	Government Notice 269 of 2023
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Cargo Consolidator and De-Consolidators Fees) Order, 2023	Government Notice 268 of 2023
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Performance Benchmarks) (Amendments) Regulations, 2022	Government Notice 661 of 2022
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Shipping Agents) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022	Government Notice 54 of 2022
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Shipping Business Fees, Charges and Commissions) Order, 2021	Government Notice 181 of 2021
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Dry Port) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020	Government Notice 723 of 2020
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Shipping Business) Regulations, 2020	Government Notice 386 of 2020
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Tariff) Regulations, 2020	Government Notice 8 of 2020
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Tariff) Regulations, 2020	Government Notice 7 of 2020
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Port State Control) Regulations, 2019	Government Notice 67 of 2019
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Miscellaneous Port Services) Regulations, 2018	Government Notice 343 of 2018
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Service Provider Levies and Fees) Rules, 2018	Government Notice 342 of 2018
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Dry Port) Regulations, 2019	Government Notice 341 of 2018
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Clearing and Forwarding Agents) Regulations, 2018	Government Notice 340 of 2018
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Shipping Agents) Regulations, 2018	Government Notice 339 of 2018
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Complaints Handling) Regulations, 2018	Government Notice 338 of 2018
Tanzania Shipping Agencies (Cargo Consolidators and De-consolidators) Regulations, 2018	Government Notice 337 of 2018
Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act (Date of Commencement) Notice, 2018	Government Notice 53 of 2018

Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017

Chapter 415

Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017

Collections

Related documents

Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017

Chapter 415

Part I – Preliminary provisions

1. Short title and commencement

2. Application

3. Interpretation

Part II – Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation

4. Establishment of Corporation

5. Objectives of the Corporation

6. Functions of a shipping agent

7. Exclusive mandate of the Corporation

8. Establishment of Advisory Committee

9. Power to obtain information, documents and evidence

Part III – Regulation of maritime sector

10. Regulation of maritime sector

11. Regulation of maritime environment, safety and security

12. Regulation of maritime transport services

Part IV – Licensing of private shipping agents

13. Application for shipping agency licence

14. Suspension and revocation of licence

15. Capital requirements

16. Margin of solvency

17. Restriction on transfer of credit and dividend

18. Power to issue directives

19. Maintenance of records

20. Offences under this Part

Part V – Board of the Corporation

21. Establishment of the Board

22. Functions of the Board

23. Powers of the Board

24. Committees of the Board

25. Undue influence

26. Conflict of interest

27. Fees and remuneration

28. Power to set rates and charges

29. Power to conduct inquiry

Part VI – Administration and management of the Corporation

30. The Director General

31. Registrar

32. Establishment of departments, units and sections

33. Officers and other staff of the Corporation

34. Delegation of powers

Part VII – Financial provisions

35. Funds of the Corporation

36. Application of revenue

37. Financial year

38. Budget

39. Accounts and Audit

40. Annual report

Part VIII – Liability of the Corporation

41. Exclusion of liability of the Corporation

42. Liability for released equipment

43. Liability for directive of a principal

44. Liability of body of persons

Part IX – General provisions

45. Directives by Minister

46. Power of entry and inspection

47. Exemption from application of certain provisions of the Act

48. Integrity pledge

49. Corporation not to provide services in certain circumstances

50. Engagement of contractor, subcontractor and supplier

51. Inconsistency

52. Emblem, design or representation of Corporation

53. Maintenance of records

54. Confidentiality

55. Public Register

56. General offence

57. Offences in relation to shipping agency

58. Compounding of offences

59. Redress

60. International obligations

61. Regulations

62. Power to make internal rules

63. Notification of orders

64. Repeal of Caps. 177 and 415