“Largest Ten Ports in Madagascar”

Find Busiest Madagascar Port

Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean about 400 kilometers off the coast of East Africa across the Mozambique Channel. It has a channel of 17 ports along its 5,000-kilometer coastline. However, only five of them have sufficient port infrastructure, such as piers, drafts, handlers, land, and shops, to allow commodities to be loaded and unloaded at the docks.

Madagascar has several seaports located throughout the country. The average container port throughput is 140,150.000 TEU from 2008 to 2019. This article gives you an overview of the port sector’s current state.

Port of Toamasina
Port of Toamasina
Soc d Exploitation du Port Toamasina Madagascar

Toamasina is Madagascar’s main port, protected by a coral reef and an artificial barrier.

  • TEU: 400,000 (2015)
  • Principal cargo port in Madagascar
  • Mainly handles: ro-ro, passengers, gasoline, containers, breakbulk goods, and dry bulk
  • Overall volume is estimated to be 1.7 million tons per year, with 70% of that being containerized
  • 2nd largest ports in the SADC region after major expansions are completed
  • Equipped with a sophisticated container port, warehouses, and yard space
Port of Antsiranana
Port of Antsiranana
P7JQ+Q9X, Antsiranana, Madagascar

Port of Antsiranana consistently remains Madagascar’s third busiest port and the hub of citizen social activity. It is now mainly used for container handling, with most fishing enterprises ceasing operations, reducing the port’s vitality.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Converted from a versatile facility to an almost exclusive container terminal
  • Water depth – 8.5 meters suitable for relevant vessels or feeder traffic
  • No berth cranes; therefore, ships must have their gear
  • Side- and quarter-ramp containers can be used for RoRo operations
Port of Mahajanga (Majunga)
Port of Mahajanga (Majunga)
BP 36. Maritime District of Majunga Majunga Madagascar

Port of Mahajanga (Majunga) is Madagascar’s third busiest port; however, it hasn’t been rehabilitated in some years. Local traffic on Madagascar’s west coast and nearby islands and local operators use this port.

  • TEU: 800
  • Used by large prawn farms in the south and north of Mahajanga to export their products
  • Long-haul vessels are unable to berth at the port.
  • The large or medium-sized vessels must be transshipped to barges
  • Port mainly handles: fishing vessels, small craft for national trades, and Comoros freight
Port de Tuléar
Port de Tuléar
Port / Dockyard, Toliara, Madagascar

Port de Tuléar is Madagascar’s second-largest port. It can receive international vessels and all types of cargo for import and export.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Major import: cement
  • Mainly exports: cassava, maize, and timber
  • Primarily handles: containerized cargoes, tankers, and break-bulk
  • Facilities are in good working order and are well cared for
  • Possess of two existing docks can accommodate ships with a maximum draft of 7m50
Port of Antalaha
Port of Antalaha
Antalaha Madagascar

Port of Antalaha is the second-largest port in the SAVA region. It is situated on the northeast coast of Madagascar, 400 kilometers north of Toamasina.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Unable to accept containers or handle international shipments though it can handle domestic shipments
  • SAMA Company (a Henry Fraise company) manages the port
  • Port restriction: only vessels with a draft of less than 180 can berth
Port of Vohémar
Port of Vohémar
Vohemar, Madagascar

Port of Vohémar is one of the largest river ports in the SAVA region. It is located in Madagascar at 13.3523S, 50.0071E.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Oil products tankers regularly visit the port
  • Maximum vessel length – 124 meters
  • Draught – 6.7 meters, 8,277DWT
Port of Morondava
Port of Morondava
P74C+PP5, Morondava, Madagascar

The Port of Morondava is located along Madagascar’s western coast, on the edge of a branch of the Morondava River. It is a commercial port with a roadstead anchorage for vessels heading overseas.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Available quays for more miniature coasters
  • Approximately four vessels pass through the port each year
  • Ships may only arrive and depart at high tide
  • Accessible facilities for liquid and breakbulk
Port of Tolagnaro
Port of Tolagnaro
BP 262. Tolagnaro Madagascar

Tolagnaro Port is located on Madagascar’s southeast coast at coordinates 25° 01′ 38.39″ S and 046° 59′ 49.70 “E. It comprises a small port and a sweeping natural bay with safe mooring for ocean-going vessels moving cargo into lighters.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Main cargo handled are maize, rice, and sisal
  • Annual traffic: 2,000 tons of maize, 2,500 tons of rice, and 10 thousand tons of sisal
  • Rio Tinto owned 80% of the port.
  • Available to domestic and international maritime trade
  • Handle all types and sizes of goods like container, fuel, bulk, and breakbulk
  • Import and export activities include general cargo and minerals
  • The port facilities are in good working order and are well cared for
  • Side vessels and quarter-ramp vessels can be used for RoRo operations
Port Saint-Louis
Port Saint-Louis
BP 84. Ambilobe Madagascar

Port of Port Saint Louis in the Port Louis District, with a tiny portion in the Black River District to the west. Coordinates are 13.0913S, 48.8286E.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Port Saint Louis Port Authority runs the port
  • Nation’s economic, cultural, and political hub
Port of Mananjary
Port of Mananjary
Mananjary, Madagascar

Port of Mananjary is a tiny commercial port situated around 130 kilometers south of Nosy Varika. It is positioned on the RN 11. Mananjary Port Authority runs and manages the port.

  • TEU: N/A
  • Vanilla, pepper, and coffee production are the mainstays of agriculture
  • Ships dock to load or discharge cargo (primarily deals with coastal business)
  • Approximately ten vessels visit the harbor each year
  • Anchorage water depth ranges 14m – 15.2m
  • Cargo pier depth:1.8-to 3 meter
  • Coordinates: 21°15′0.00″South 48°19′60.00″East