Mozambique - 2.1.5 Mozambique Port of Pemba

Port Overview 

The Port of Pemba is located in the northern province of Mozambique, near the border with Tanzania. It is situated on a peninsula within Pemba Bay and it is considered as a potential site for a deep-water port. The port is crucial to accommodate the increasing demand for logistical support vessels that are engaged in research and exploration projects of gas and oil in the Rovuma Basin, as well as mining and agriculture projects in the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa. There are plans to enhance the port by increasing the number of berths and expanding the storage and handling area for containers.  

In 2019, the Port of Pemba underwent significant rehabilitation and was equipped with modern equipment to handle various types of cargo, including graphite, marble, cotton, timber, and clinker. The port is now capable of operating 24/7 and handling up to 27,000 TEUs annually, an increase from the previous 18,000 TEUs. Mozambique Ports and Railways Company's investment of USD 5 million is expected to improve the flow of goods from the Port of Pemba, reducing the need to travel 400 km to the Port of Nacala, which causes damage to roads and wastes time and resources. 

The port is managed by the Mozambique Ports and Railways Company (CFM Norte). 

Port website: Porto de Pemba (cfm.co.mz)  

Key port information may also be found at: Port of Pemba MZPOL map, contact details and vessel arrivals by Maritime Database (maritime-database.com) 

Port Location and Contact 

Country 

Mozambique  

Province or District 

Cabo Delgado  

Nearest Town or City 

with Distance from Port 

Pemba  

Port's Complete Name 

Port of Pemba  

Latitude 

-12.9732026  

Longitude 

40.5178014  

Managing Company or Port Authority 

 

Mozambique Ports and Railways Administration (CFM), CFM Norte, Pemba Delegation  

Management Contact Person 

Nome: Alfredo Artur Mafuca 

Title: Delegate 

Contact: +258 843103096 

Email: Alfredo.Mafuca@cfm.co.mz 

Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures 

Pemba International Airport 

LAM, Kenya Airways, Airlink  

Port Picture 

image-20230519142324-1

image-20230519142324-2

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

CFM Norte, Pemba Delegation, manages the port. 

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link:  

4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List  

Port Performance 

The port of Pemba is a small deep-water port and mainly used for cabotage shipping. However, it has a good potential for growth to respond to the logistics demands of the new gas and oil projects in the Rovuma basin. 

One of the major limitations for the port is its limited capacity and infrastructure. This can result in longer waiting times for vessels to berth and unload their cargo. The port's cargo handling capacity is also relatively low, with an average of 350,000 mt of cargo handled annually. 

The average waiting time for vessels to berth and unload their cargo at Pemba port varies depending on several factors, including the size and type of the vessel, the volume and type of cargo being unloaded, and the level of port activity at the time. However, longer waiting times are not uncommon due to the limited capacity of the port. 

There is no established priority for humanitarian cargo, although such cargo is typically given priority in times of crisis or emergency. 

Overall, Pemba port's performance is limited by its infrastructure and capacity, which can impact its ability to handle cargo efficiently and quickly. 

Seasonal Constraints 

 

Occurs 

Time Frame 

Rainy Season 

Yes  

From November to March*  

Major Import Campaigns 

No  

  

Other Comments 

 

* Rain can impact the movement of graphite at the port. 

 

Handling Figures for 2022 

Vessel Calls 

293  

Container Traffic (TEUs) 

2987 

 

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2022 

Bulk (mt) 

93,700 

Break bulk (mt) 

164,397  

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: 

Port and Terminal Charges    

Berthing Specifications 

Type of Berth 

Quantity 

Length 

(m) 

Maximum 

Draft (m) 

Comments 

Conventional Berth 

1  

183 

8.5 to 12 

  

Container Berth 

1  

120 

8 

The concession granted to Bollore is primarily utilized for landing vessels that support the gas project. 

Silo Berth 

 

 

 

 

Berthing Tugs 

1 

 

 

 

Water Barges 

 

 

 

 

Plans to expand the number of berths (to a length of 650 m and 14 m draft), and container yard are in place. 

General Cargo Handling Berths 

Cargo Type 

Berth Identification 

Imports - Bagged Cargo 

Pier 

Exports - Bagged Cargo 

Pier 

Imports and Exports - RoRo 

N/A 

Other Imports 

N/A 

Port Handling Equipment 

CFM Norte, Pemba Delegation manages port equipment. 

Equipment 

Available 

 

Total Quantity and Capacity Available 

Dockside Crane 

No 

 

Container Gantries 

No 

 

Mobile Cranes 

No 

 

Reachstacker 

Yes  

4 x 45 tons  

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer) 

No 

  

Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines 

No 

  

Transtainer 

Yes  

5 x 20 tons  

Forklifts 

Yes  

2 x (3-5 tons) 

Container Facilities 

Facilities 

20 ft 

40 ft 

Container Facilities Available 

Yes 

Yes 

Container Freight Station (CFS) 

Yes 

Yes 

Refrigerated Container Stations 

Yes 

Yes 

Other Capacity Details 

 

 

Daily Take Off Capacity  
(Containers per Day)  

96  

96  

Number of Reefer Stations  
(Connection Points) 

5 plugs  

5 plugs  

Emergency Take-off Capacity  

96  

96  

Off take Capacity of Gang Shift  
(Containers per Shift)  

96  

96  

Customs Guidance 

Guidance from the manual “Rules and Procedures for Customs clearance of Goods donated for Humanitarian Assistance”, prepared by INGD, Mitigation Division, Customs clearance Sector - Ver12December 22: 

VI. CUSTOMS CLEARANCE PROCESS FOR THE HEALTH AND EMERGENCY AND HUMANITARIAN GOODS SECTOR 

6.1. Conditions for Customs Clearance 

25. Advance shipment (after shipment and before arrival in the national territory) by the exporter/Donor of the following documents: 

  1. Commercial Invoice; 

  1. PackList; 

  1. Certificate of Analysis (Drugs and vaccines) or Quality (Consumables and other medical products); 

  1. Bill of Lading (Bill of lading) for sea and Waybill for air; 

  2. Processing schedule for the Pharmaceutical Specialty Inspection Bulletin (BIEF), in accordance with Annex 2.

26. Immediate Issuance (within no more than 2 days) of the Accounting Note, in cases of lack of financial coverage, an early exit authorization would be issued for products subject to Customs Charges (most consumables). If the Accounting Note is not issued within 2 days, the products destined for the MISAU (medicines, medical products, equipment and vehicles) will enjoy early departure without any restrictions. 

27. Existence of financial availability within the limit communicated in the State Budget for the payment of MCNet Fee up to the maximum amount equivalent to sixty-four American dollars (USD 64) in accordance with paragraph 30, and expenses of Private agents of cargo handling (airport tax, storage, parking, deposit and Kudumba) upon arrival of the Goods.

28. For perishable products such as vaccines and reagents, the request for Exit Authorization must be made at the respective customs office, with a maximum of two (2) days in advance, under the responsibility of the Manager or his Representative. Clearance of vehicles and other vehicles.

6.2. Clearance of vehicles and other vehicles 

29. The attribution of license plates for vehicles and other vehicles must be made before issuing the Accounting Notes, through Early Departure, in case of delay in this process. 

6.3 Payment of the MCNet Fee 

30. Bearing in mind that MISAU imports goods with high values, you must pay an MCNet fee up to a maximum amount equivalent to sixty-four American dollars (USD 64), regardless of the FOB value of the goods. 

6.4 Payment of port fees 

31. Private operator agents must allow the collection of goods intended for Health under a Term of Commitment, with the guarantee that the amounts due are paid within a period to be agreed between this agent and any Ministry authorized to receive or import emergency goods or humanitarians. 

32. If the above conditions are met, the time for withdrawing the goods from the port area may be between: 

  1. Maximum 2 days for air and land cargo; 

  1. Maximum 7 days for sea cargo. 

For more information on customs in Mozambique, please see the following link:  

1.3 Customs Information   

Terminal Information 

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL 

Storage Type 

Number of Storage Facilities 

Area (m2) 

Bagged Cargo 

1 covered warehouse  

1,800 m2

Refrigerated Cargo 

N/A 

  

General Cargo 

Open air storage area  

15.000 m2

Stevedoring 

Stevedoring is provided by CFM using port equipment and casual labour recruited on a daily basis. 

Hinterland Information 

The cargo is moved to and from the port by road, covering mainly the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Niassa. 

Port Security 

Security 

ISPS Compliant 

Yes  

Current ISPS Level  
(Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional) 

1  

Police Boats 

Yes 

Fire Engines 

Yes