Port Overview

Mahajanga is the third busiest port in Madagascar, but no rehabilitation has been taken place since many years. The port is mainly used for local traffic on Madagascar's West coast and neighboring islands, as well as by local operators. Big prawn farms are located South and North of Mahajanga and use the port to export their products. 

Mahajanga port has no strategic importance for humanitarian activities, unless cyclones and floods result in major road cuts. In that case, humanitarian aid could be dispatched from Mahajanga to North (Antsohihy) or South (Maintirano, Morondava) using coasters or landing crafts (beachers). 

Long haul vessels cannot berth at Mahajanga port and a transhipment to barges has to take place for any big or medium sized vessel. The barges are towed to the berth by the tugs of two stevedore companies, where the cargoes are handled and stored in warehouses or respectively stacked in the relevant container yards. 

Only cargo for Comoros, fishing vessels and small crafts for national trades are operated directly at the berth. Long haul vessels or container ships may anchor in deeper waters at best position of the port. Draught at quay is 4.50 meters only and is calculated on high tide. Transhipment can result in more damages caused by double handling. 

Service vessels, tugs, barges etc. fall dry, the small craft area (Quai d’Oranges / Quai des Boutres) used by wooden sailing vessels falls completely dry, too. 

Same counts for the main anchorage area with a stated depth of 12 meters, according to international standards it should read 8 meters. Considering this, a maximum draft of 6.5 to 7 meters is the limit. The data for the fairway channel are from the end of the 1950s, more actual soundings have not been carried out. Sedimentation from the Betsiboka River increases the uncertainties. According to the Port Authority, new soundings are planned for the next years. 

The draft restrictions for Mahajanga roads also limit the vessel size. 

In average, 800 TEU vessels are in service. 

Port website: This port has no specific website available 

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com 

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

- SEMS, manutentionnaire: Mr Michel Le Treust, directeur des opérations, 0340260250, michellt@semsmjn.mg 

- COMAMA, manutentionnaire: Mr BAKARY Fanomeza Angelo, responsable classe 2 , 0340224279, exploitation@comama.mg 

- SMOI PT: Steering / boatage 

- EUSTRATIOU: BAC Boeny operator 

OPERATORS: 

GASY NET: Scanner control 

LPSA: Setting up fuel pipe line 

VITOGAZ: Setting up fuel pipe line 

SOMAPECHE: Fishing and Treatment Company 

REFRIGEPECHE: Fishing and Treatment Company 

COLAS: Logistics base 

SEMS: Slipway and fairing 

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

Port Performance 

 

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

To warehouse/trucks - Breakbulk: 200/gang/crane 

Pilotage fees compulsory, request to be cabled 24 hours prior to arrival. A launching boat assists with the in and out manoeuvres. 

28 containers per hour may be discharged to barges to transfer to the quay where there is another handling/lifting from barge to quay. 

Berthing Specifications 

 

General Cargo Handling Berths 

 Port Handling Equipment 

 Container Facilities 

Customs Guidance 

Customs are available on site at any time for any declaration/clearance and can process to visa delivery on arrival. 

In emergency situations, the custom procedure can be streamlined. The cargo, which has been announced electronically prior vessel’s arrival (normal procedure), can be delivered after its discharge directly into the emergency area. The clearance-related administration and fees / duties can be settled afterwards. 

For more information on customs in Madagascar, please see the following link:  1.3 Customs Information 

Terminal Information 

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL 

N/A 

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING 

N/A 

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL 

The SEMS warehouse is generally feasible to store bagged cargo / foodstuff. 

Another warehouse used by COMAMA for the storage of cement is contaminated with cement dust and difficult to clean for the purpose of food storage. 

 

 

Stevedoring 

The cargo handling activities in the port and for the barge operation are shared by two stevedore companies. COMAMA (blue equipment) operates CMA/CGM vessels; SEMS (red / green equipment) handles MSC. The stevedore companies have an agreement to share the equipment (pooling), which counts for reach-stackers, trucks and forklifts. 

Mobile berth cranes to load / unload the barges are more dedicated to the relevant berth area adjacent to the container stacks of the two container shipping lines. Next to the equipment share of the stevedores, it can be estimated that the handling rates of both are similar or same. SEMS also operates a feeder vessel and a landing craft. 

Hinterland Information 

Despite the presence of an international airport, the port of Toliara is mainly connected to the hinterland destinations by road. 

All types of truck can have access on the port and his berth for cargo off take but the majority are containers trucks (20ft and 40 ft). 

Port Security 

 

*No fire service in the port. 

Each company has fire trucks and works together with MJN firefighters