BY Joseph Kiggundu
A high-level delegation led by Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development and the Deputy Minister of Energy of the United Republic of Tanzania has inspected progress at the Marine Storage and Terminal (MST) facility in Tanga Region, a key export hub for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.
The visit formed part of the ongoing EACOP project tour aimed at assessing construction progress and operational readiness of critical downstream infrastructure. Officials were briefed on key milestones, safety compliance, and commissioning timelines during the inspection.
The MST facility is a central component of EACOP’s export system and features four crude oil storage tanks with a combined capacity of about two million barrels. Supporting infrastructure includes power generation systems and export pumping facilities that will move crude oil from the storage terminal to the Jetty and Load-Out Facility for shipment to international markets.
The onshore terminal is linked to the export jetty by a two-kilometre trestle, enabling seamless offshore loading operations. Authorities confirmed that essential support systems—covering electrical, instrumentation, telecommunications, and security—as well as the onshore abutment, have been fully completed.
Construction of the offshore mooring and berthing dolphins has reached approximately 85 percent completion, signaling steady progress toward full operational status.
The Marine Storage and Terminal facility is expected to be commissioned from the first quarter of 2026, representing a major milestone for the EACOP project and significantly boosting regional crude oil export capacity.
Officials noted that the inspection reflects strong political backing and sustained cross-border cooperation between Uganda and Tanzania, reinforcing the shared commitment to delivering the EACOP project as a catalyst for regional energy development, infrastructure expansion, and economic integration.