Title: Exploring the Role of Risk Management in Enhancing Marine Engineering Operations at Dar es Salaam Port
Authors: Stephen Ndimangwa Mziray
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 173-184
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
Marine engineering operations play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of port activities; however, these operations continue to face various risks, including equipment failures, operational disruptions, safety incidents, environmental hazards, and maintenance challenges. This study explored the role of risk management in enhancing marine engineering operations at Dar es Salaam Port by focusing on stakeholders' experiences regarding risk management practices and their perceptions of its contribution to operational safety, equipment reliability, efficiency, and decision-making. A qualitative research approach was employed involving 19 participants selected from key maritime stakeholders, including marine engineers, port engineering managers, maintenance personnel, safety officers, and other operational stakeholders. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that risk management supported risk identification, preventive maintenance, safety control, and reduction of equipment failures. Risk mitigation and monitoring practices contributed to reliable marine engineering operations, although challenges related to limited resources, technological gaps, and delayed corrective actions affected their effectiveness. Stakeholders further perceived risk management as enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making through improved maintenance planning, resource utilization, coordination, and timely responses to engineering challenges. The study contributed context-specific knowledge on maritime risk management by demonstrating the importance of systematic risk management approaches in strengthening safe, reliable, and efficient marine engineering operations at Dar es Salaam Port.