GT Lines is launching a new direct shipping service between the UAE and Tanzania, creating a maritime trade corridor connecting East Africa with the Gulf, Indian Subcontinent and the Far East.
The Khorfakkan Tanzania Express, known as KTX, will link Khorfakkan in the UAE with Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Operations are scheduled to begin in mid-August, with two dedicated vessels providing sailings every ten days.
Nine-Day UAE–Tanzania Transit
The new service will offer a nine-day transit time between Khorfakkan and Dar es Salaam.
The direct connection is intended to strengthen trade links between East Africa and the Gulf while providing customers with improved schedule reliability and a wider range of logistics options.
The service will combine the nine-day journey with a ten-day sailing frequency, creating a consistent schedule for cargo moving between the two regions.
Links to Gulf and Asian Markets
The KTX route will also connect East African cargo with markets beyond the UAE through Gulftainer’s maritime and logistics network.
According to Logistics Update Africa, shipments using the service will have onward access through Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal and Sharjah Commercial Terminal.
The integrated network is designed to support cargo movements between East Africa and major regional and international destinations through onward connections across the Gulf and Asia.
Wider Shipping Network
Cargo arriving through the KTX service will be able to connect with the Iraq Commercial Terminal at Umm Qasr, as well as GT Lines’ expanding services covering the Far East and Indian Subcontinent.
This network gives businesses shipping through Dar es Salaam access to multiple terminals, feeder operations and inland logistics services from a single direct maritime route.
The service would provide a competitive alternative to existing routes by reducing transit times and improving supply chain predictability for traders operating between East Africa and the Gulf.
Supporting Gulf–East Africa Trade
The use of two vessels is intended to maintain regular service availability and reliable schedules for customers. The route also expands the logistics choices available to businesses moving goods between Tanzania, the UAE and wider international markets.
By combining direct shipping with onward port, feeder and inland connections, KTX will establish a broader trade link between East Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
The launch reinforces Khorfakkan’s role within Gulftainer’s integrated network while providing Dar es Salaam with a direct connection to markets across the Gulf and beyond.
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