August 17, 2015 [allAfrica] - Two tanks of 36,000 cubic metres each owned by Tanzania International Petroleum Reserves Limited (TIPER), are expected to go on stream later this month, in a move expected to boost the firm's storage capacity by 50 per cent.
The project, which saw the two tanks undergo major refurbishment, represents an investment of US $11 million (about 22bn/-) and will bring the current storage capacity of 141,000 cubic metres to 213,000 cubic metres after its completion.
“The project is in its final stages and we are delighted to have the opportunity to provide greater storage convenience and the fastest discharge flow rate from the SPM after its completion,” said TIPER Deputy Managing Director, Mr Paul Mnzava in a press statement availed to the media yesterday.
He noted further that painting was going on and the two tanks, each 36,000 cubic metres capacity, are currently being calibrated by Weights and Measures Agency (WMA). “We plan to have them ready by the end of this month so as to be in a position to receive products,” he affirmed.
The project launched early last year, aims at extending the life time and modifying the tanks to highest international standards which would in turn maximise the firm’s storage capacity.
Shedding light on the status of review of the firm’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in harmony with the new capacity and firefighting network upgrade, Mr Mnzava said that assessments and painting were in progress for firefighting network pipes. Following this expansion project, TIPER is planning to lay down a new set of transfer pipelines between Kigamboni and Kurasini.
