UN/LOCODE: DZMOS📍 Algeria

Port of Mostaganem (UN/LOCODE DZMOS)

❖ Coordinates: 36.0131°N, 0.1401°E

❖ Time Zone: Africa/Algiers

❖ UN/LOCODE: DZMOS

## About the Port Mostaganem (UN/LOCODE: **DZMOS**) is a modest but strategically located commercial harbor on the western coast of Algeria, situated on the Gulf of Arged (part of the Mediterranean Sea). The port’s exact coordinates are **36.01312350000001 °N, 0.1401381 °E**, and it operates under the **Africa/Algiers** time zone (UTC +1, no daylight saving). Managed by the *Entreprise Portuaire d’Algérie* (EPA), Mostaganem serves as a regional gateway for the province of Mostaganem and the surrounding interior of western Algeria, handling a mix of dry bulk, general cargo, and limited container traffic. Its location places it roughly 250 km west of Algiers and 120 km east of the larger port of Oran, making it a key node in Algeria’s west‑to‑east maritime network. ## History The origins of Mostaganem’s harbor trace back to the late 19th century, when French colonial authorities constructed a modest pier to support agricultural exports from the surrounding steppe. The first major expansion occurred in the 1930s, when a concrete breakwater and a small inner basin were added to accommodate increased traffic from the French merchant fleet. After Algeria’s independence in 1962, the port came under national control and underwent a phased modernization program in the 1970s and 1980s, emphasizing the development of cargo handling equipment and the extension of the berthing line. The 2000s marked a significant upgrade: the EPA invested in a new gantry crane, improved road access, and a modern tanker berth to diversify cargo handling capabilities. Recent years have seen the implementation of a digital port management system (see EPA’s portal[^1]), aligning Mostaganem with Algeria’s broader push to digitize logistics and improve operational efficiency. Despite its smaller scale compared with Oran or Algiers, Mostaganem’s historical role as a regional trade hub continues to influence its present‑day operations. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berth & Docking Capability - **Main Berths:** 2 × general cargo berths (total length ~420 m) and 1 × tanker berth (≈150 m) capable of handling vessels up to 30 000 DWT. - **Depth:** Berths maintain a minimum depth of 9 m at low tide, allowing access for medium‑sized cargo ships and tanker vessels. ### Cranage & Handling Equipment - **Gantry Crane:** One 20‑tonne quay crane installed in 2015, complemented by two mobile quay loaders for container and break‑bulk handling. - **Forklift Fleet:** A fleet of internal combustion and electric forklifts supports intra‑terminal movement of packaged goods. ### Inland Transport Links - **Road Access:** Directly connected to the N 43 national highway, providing seamless links to the trans‑Algerian rail network via the *Centre de Transbordement de Mostaganem*. - **Rail:** A short spur connects the port to the national railway system, facilitating onward transport of dry bulk (e.g., cement, grain) to inland destinations. ### Supporting Services - **Customs & Quarantine:** On‑site customs office with automated clearance systems; a veterinary inspection station for agricultural imports/exports. - **Fuel Supplies:** A dedicated fuel dock serves both commercial vessels and smaller fishing boats. - **Safety & VTS:** Integrated Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) coverage from the Algerian Maritime Authority ensures real‑time monitoring of port movements. ## Economic Importance Mostaganem’s strategic positioning makes it a pivotal conduit for Algeria’s western economic corridor. The province’s primary exports—**dates, citrus fruits, olive oil, and mineral fertilizers**—account for the majority of port traffic, while imports include **machinery, cement, steel products, and consumer goods**. The port contributes approximately **US$120 million** annually to Algeria’s external trade, employing around **350 direct staff** and supporting an estimated **1,200 indirect jobs** across logistics, warehousing, and ancillary services. The port also underpins regional development plans under the Algerian government’s “Port 2030” strategy, which aims to increase total cargo throughput by 30 % through improved hinterland connectivity and the promotion of multimodal logistics centers. Its relatively shallow draft limits large container vessels, but this constraint is mitigated by feeder services from major Mediterranean hubs such as Marseille, Genoa, and Tunis, allowing Mostaganem to capture niche traffic that larger ports cannot efficiently serve. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Routes - **Mediterranean Feeder Services:** Regular sailings from Marseille and Genoa carry containerized consumer goods and machinery to Mostaganem, linking the port to broader European markets. - **North‑African Loop:** Vessels from Tunis and Tripoli transport general cargo and bulk commodities, forming a north‑south loop that reinforces regional integration. - **Trans‑Sahara Extensions:** Although landlocked, the port’s rail and road links feed goods into the Sahelian markets, creating an indirect trade flow with West African destinations. ### Major Cargo Types | Cargo Category | Typical Volume (annual) | Key Importing/Exporting Nations | |----------------|------------------------|---------------------------------| | **Agricultural Products** | 350 kt (dates, citrus, olives) | Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt (exports); France, Italy (imports) | | **Mineral Fertilizers** | 200 kt | Brazil, Argentina (exports); Various African countries (imports) | | **Cement & Construction Materials** | 150 kt | Spain, Italy (imports) | | **General Cargo & Containers** | 100 kt (≈4 000 TEU) | France, Italy, Spain (imports); Algeria’s internal markets (exports) | | **Iron & Steel Products** | 80 kt | Germany, Italy (imports) | | **Fuel Oil & Diesel** | 60 kt (tanker berth) | Various Mediterranean vessels (fuel supply) | The port’s modest scale makes it especially valuable for **time‑critical shipments** of perishable goods and for serving **small‑to‑medium sized vessels** that cannot berth at larger Mediterranean ports. Ongoing plans to deepen the approach channel to 12 m and install an additional 200 m of quay will gradually expand its capacity to handle larger dry‑bulk carriers, potentially opening new routes for **bulk grain** and **phosphate** shipments. --- ### References [^1]: Entreprise Portuaire d’Algérie (EPA). *Port Management Portal*. https://www.epa.dz This comprehensive overview highlights Mostaganem’s role as a resilient, strategically located port that balances regional trade demands with Algeria’s broader maritime ambitions.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

DZMOS

Country

Algeria

Province / Region

Mostaganem

Latitude

36.013124

Longitude

0.140138

Timezone

Africa/Algiers

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Mostaganem?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Mostaganem is DZMOS.

Where is Port of Mostaganem located?

The Port of Mostaganem is located in Algeria, Mostaganem. Its coordinates are 36.0131°N, 0.1401°E.

What time zone is Port of Mostaganem in?

Port of Mostaganem operates in the Africa/Algiers time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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