The port also has 3 tanks for storing oil, LPG etc. 2 tanks for keeping grain with a capacity of 19,000 tonnes and 31,000 tonnes are situated near the main port area. The port has a storage area spanning 24 hectares, including an unsheltered storage space spanning 11 hectares, 121 reefer plugs, and cold storage facilities for packaged and perishable products. A shipyard is also located at the port, for the repair and maintenance of decent-sized vessels and carriers. Tomasina port is equipped with the latest port management systems at par with global standards. The port equipment is fully operational and includes 5 shore cranes with a lifting capacity of 100 million tonnes, 6 rubber-tired cranes, 3 handlers, 4 forklifts with a 5-10 million tonne lifting capacity, 12 trailers and 14 tractors. After completion, ships weighing more than 70,000 tonnes could also berth at the port. However, work is underway for extending the berth length by 450 m which would increase the draft to 15 m. The port can accommodate ships with a draft not more than 9.5 m and weighing about 50,000 tonnes. It can accommodate oil tankers with a length of 250 m. A 70 m long berth for handling petroleum products is situated at a distance from the main port area. The port also has a separate silo facility for handling bulk. Another container handling berth is 290 m long with a 10.5 m draft. The port comprises two general cargo berths measuring 185 m and 210 m with a draft of 9 m and 10.4 m respectively. The port is owned by a public enterprise however its container facility is privatised. Currently undergoing expansion, the port’s cargo throughput is expected to rise by 2.5 million tonnes, after the completion of the project. It is Madagascar’s busiest port and contributes greatly to the nation’s economy by promoting trade, commerce and investments in the country’s shipping sector. The port’s container terminal is one of the biggest facilities in the region spanning 140,000 m2, with per day storage capacity of around 7000 TEUs. It is mainly a container handling facility as 75% of its cargo comprises containerised goods. It is well-linked with key roadways and railways thus enabling smoother trading operations and efficient distribution of import goods. The port handles diverse shipments such as cement, gravel, wheat flour, edible oil, urea, textiles, grains, cereals, chrome ores, wood, coffee, spices, vanilla, sugar, seafood containerised goods, petroleum and its derivatives, conventional and heavy cargo, and passenger ships. It has two broad entrance channels however, only the northern channel is currently used. Presently, the port harbour is huge and naturally well-sheltered with reef formations on either side. Toamasina port has been operational since the late 18th century and was used by the French for carrying out their trade operations in the Indian Ocean. The port handles approximately 1,600,000 tonnes of cargo and 18,900 TEU every year. It is situated on Madagascar’s eastern coast facing the Indian Ocean. Toamasina port is Madagascar’s major port facility handling about 80% of the nation’s international maritime traffic.
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