Ports in Africa play a crucial role in the continent’s economic development and global trade. These ports are vital gateways for both imports and exports, facilitating trade and contributing significantly to the region’s economy.
Economic Significance: African ports handle around 80% of trade on the continent, making them essential for the African economy. They are key players in the import and export of goods, supporting economic growth and diversification in African countries.
Trade Volume: Ports in Africa are responsible for handling a substantial volume of global merchandise trade, accounting for about 70% by value and 80% by volume. This highlights their critical role in facilitating international trade.
Some of the major ports in Africa include the Port of Durban in South Africa, Port of Alexandria in Egypt, Port of Lagos in Nigeria, Port of Mombasa in Kenya, and Port of Tangier in Morocco.
These ports are significant hubs for trade and play a crucial role in connecting Africa to the rest of the world.
10 Major Ports in Africa
1. Port of Durban, South Africa
If you’re a seafarer, chances are you’ve been there already. The Port of Durban is the biggest and busiest commercial African Port lying on the eastern coastline of South Africa
It is called Port of Durban because its situated in Durban. Durban was originally called Terra do Natal by Vasco da Gama when he visited in 1497. It has the busiest container port in Africa and is the 9th largest harbour in the world. The first steam railway in South Africa was opened in Durban in 1860.
The Port of Durban, commonly called Durban Harbour, is the largest and busiest shipping terminal in sub-Saharan Africa. It handles up to 31.4 million tons of cargo each year. It is the fourth largest container terminal in the Southern Hemisphere, handling approximately 5 million TEU in 2022
Port Limitations: The port of Durban operates 24 hours a day 365 days a year. During daylight ships are supposedly restricted to 243.8m length with a maximum width of 35m and a draught of 11.9m, or 12.2m according to tide and harbour master’s clearance. Larger vessels are common, and ships up to 300m lengths and 37m beams are regular callers in Durban. Night restrictions are for a ship length of 200m, a beam of 26m, and maximum draught of 11.6m. The harbour master has to be consulted for permission if larger vessels are to enter port.
Port Operators : Durban Port operates on a common user basis and consists of five business units managed by Transnet Port Terminals – (DCT) Durban Container Terminal (Africa’s busiest), Pier 1 Container Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal (also known as the City Terminal), Durban Car Terminal (three berths), and Maydon Wharf Terminal.
- Durban is the busiest port in South Africa and generates more than 60% of revenue.
- It is the second largest container port in Africa (after Port Said in Egypt).
- It is the fourth largest container port in Southern Hemisphere. (First is Jakarta in Indonesia, second is Surabaya in Indonesia, third is Santos in Brazil).
- The distance around the port is 21 kilometres (13 miles).
- Rail tracks total 302 kilometres (188 miles).
- The port has 58 berths which are operated by more than 20 terminal operators.
- Over 4,500 commercial vessels call at the port each year.
The Container terminal covers 102 hectares and has shipping links to the Far East, Middle East, South and North America, Europe and Australia. It is a crucial transhipment hub serving the eastern African region and the Indian Ocean Islands. The facility handles around 50,000 TEUs monthly on its seven container berths equipped with 13,000 ground slots and a container freight station with 600 reefer plugs.
Other facilities include a multipurpose terminal handling general cargo and break bulk on its 15 piers, a car terminal, and the Maydon wharf dealing with salt, fertilisers, mineral products, steel, scrap metal and forest products.
2. Port of Lagos, Nigeria
The Lagos Port Complex also referred to as Premiere Port (Apapa Quays) is the earliest and largest Port in Nigeria. It is situated in Apapa, Lagos State, the commercial center of Nigeria. The Port was established in 1913 and construction of the first four deep water berths commenced in 1921. The Apapa Port is well equipped with modern cargo handling equipment and personnel support facilities making her cost effective and customer friendly. It enjoys intermodal connection – Rail, Water and Road. It boasts of four wheel gate of about 8 meters for oversize cargoes and this has given the Port an edge over others in the handling of oversized cargoes.
More than 40 per cent of Nigeria’s seaborne trade passes through this port, while it also serves the inland nations of Chad and Niger. Approximately 5,800,000 tonnes of cargo and more than 3000 ships visit the port annually.
Presently, the Lagos Port Complex has five (5) private Terminals with expert management and personnel that have both local and international experience in port operation. The Terminal Operators are: AP Moller Terminal Ltd. (APMT), ENL Consortium Ltd. (ENL), Apapa Bulk Terminal Ltd. (ABTL), Greenview Development Nigeria Ltd. (GNDL) and Lilypond Inland Container Terminal.
The Port also has two (2) Logistics bases- Eko Support Services Ltd. and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) and eight (8) jetties. Sugar, Salt and Flour are produced in factories belonging to operators within the port.Lagos Port Complex is registered as an ISPS certified Port facility with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The port offers 24hrs operation and vessel turnaround time is impressive. All operational areas are guarded by both armed and unarmed security personnel, as well as with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) for effective manning.
Top Facts about Nigeria’s $1.5bn Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos
The project is an investment of over $1.5 billion and a Joint Venture between the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Lagos State Government, the Tolarams Group (the owner of the Lagos Free Zone), and China Harbour Engineering Company.
- The Lekki Deep Sea Port is a multi-purpose deep sea port in the Lagos Free Zone.
- The port will create 169,972 jobs.
- The port has ships that can carry more than 14,500 cargo.
- The seaport sits on a landmass of about 90 hectares.
- It is one of the biggest seaports in West Africa and the biggest in Nigeria. Around 6 million TEUs of containers plus a sizable amount of liquid and dry bulk uncontainerized goods will be handled by the Lekki port.
- The container terminal, the liquid terminal, and the dry bulk terminal are the three terminals at the port.
- The port is sponsored by private investors and a group of banks that contributed $1.5 billion to the project.
3. Port of Mombasa, Kenya
Mombasa is a natural deepwater port in Kenya along the southeastern Indian Ocean coastline. It is the leading international seaport of Kenya and one of the busiest in East Africa. A trading hub since medieval times, Mombasa flourished in the 18th century with the arrival of Portuguese sailors and Arab traders engaged in the Spice and Slave trade.
Mombasa is also a famous centre of coastal tourism and receives cruise ships on its two dedicated passenger berths. The African Marine and General Engineering Company offer ship repair and maintenance facilities.
Apart from serving Kenya, Mombasa also handles the maritime trade of inland African countries like Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, eastern Congo, Ethiopia and the southern part of Sudan. It is directly linked with important Western Europe, Asia, America and the Far East ports. Regular feeder services connect Mombasa to Dar-es-salaam, Mogadishu, Durban and Dubai.
Mombasa has undergone various expansion projects and emerged as a facility at par with global port standards, thus contributing generously to the Kenyan economy. Approximately 35.9 million tonnes of cargo and 1.49 million TEUs were handled at the port in 2020.
Mombasa port includes the Kilindini Harbour, the old port area and subsidiary ports of Reitz and Tudor. Presently, the main port comprises 19 berths divided among a bulk terminal, two oil terminals, four container wharves and 12 conventional docks.
4. Port of Suez, Egypt
Port Suez lies on the northern coast of the Suez Gulf, bordering the southern tip of the Suez Canal. It is one of the biggest ports in Egypt, offering breathtaking views of the Red Sea and Sinai. The port consists of three harbours, namely the Abadiya, Ain Sokhna port and Tawfiq port which are part of the Suez metropolitan area. Approximately 2,500,000 TEU and more than 2000 ships frequent the facility annually.
It is connected to the neighbouring city of Cairo and Port Said through railways and highways. Pipelines from Suez carry oil and petroleum products to the adjacent regions. The city is also a renowned tourism destination known for its sandy beaches and calm waters. On their way to the holy city of Mecca, Muslim pilgrims also arrive at Port Suez.
It has been a trading post since the 7th century, fed by an ancient canal system stretching from the Nile delta to the Suez Gulf. The Greek settlement of Clysma was transformed into the Muslim city of Kolsum after the coming of Arabs. Port Suez developed extensively after it passed to the Ottoman Empire, transforming it into a Turkish military post and naval station.
The port’s Ibrahim dock is the main cargo terminal incorporating extensive port facilities and wharves for accommodating general cargo ships and passenger’s vessels. The New Harbour deals with oil tankers and livestock. A different petroleum terminal lies on the eastern part of Suez port, capable of receiving the world’s most giant tankers. Lastly, the Ataka fishing harbour, bounded by the main breakwaters, supports the local fishermen community.
5. Port of Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria’s port is a major maritime facility in Egypt, contributing significantly to the country’s trade activities and serving as a vital link to global markets.
Port of Alexandria is one of Egypt’s major seaports, located on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a crucial hub for trade and commerce, serving as a gateway for goods entering and leaving Egypt. The port has a long history, dating back to ancient times, and has played a significant role in the region’s economy and maritime activities.
The port’s strategic location makes it an important transportation hub, connecting Egypt to markets in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is well-connected to the country’s transportation network, with road and rail links to major cities and industrial areas.
- Location and Layout: The port consists of two harbors, East and West, separated by a T-shaped peninsula. The East harbor is shallow and not navigable by large vessels, while the West harbor is used for commercial shipping activities. The port covers a significant area and plays a crucial role in Egypt’s foreign trade, handling over three-quarters of the country’s trade activities.
- History: Alexandria Port is one of the oldest ports globally, with its earliest facilities dating back to 1900 BC. Over the centuries, it has undergone various developments and expansions to accommodate the growing trade demands. The port’s strategic location between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariot has been vital in its historical significance and economic importance.
6. Port of Tangier, Morocco
Tangier’s port is one of Africa’s most important ports, with significant handling capacity for containers and other cargo types. It serves as a key hub for trade activities in Morocco and beyond.
The Port of Tangier in Morocco is a significant maritime facility that serves as a crucial gateway between Europe and North Africa. It consists of two main ports: Tanger Med, which is a major port located about 40 km from the city and serves as a hub for ferry routes from Spain, France, and Italy, and Tanger Ville, situated in the heart of Tangier and serving ferry connections from the Spanish city of Tarifa.
- Tanger Med: This port, opened in 2007, is a deep-water port strategically located on the slope of the Strait of Gibraltar, making it a key point on the maritime trade routes between Europe, the Americas, and Africa. It boasts modern facilities, new terminals, and serves as a hub for cruise ships and ferry connections, welcoming millions of passengers annually.
- Tanger Ville: While smaller in capacity compared to Tanger Med, Tanger Ville is essential due to its proximity to the Iberian Peninsula. It is ideal for travelers planning to spend time in Tangier, as it is only a short drive from the city center, allowing easy access to the historic district, markets, and other attractions in Tangier.