UN/LOCODE: KMMUT📍 Comoros
Port of Mutsamudu, Anjouan (UN/LOCODE KMMUT)
❖ Coordinates: -12.1500°N, 44.3800°E
❖ Time Zone: Indian/Comoro
❖ UN/LOCODE: KMMUT
## About the Port
Mutsamudu is the principal maritime gateway of Anjouan, one of the three major islands that constitute the Union of the Comoros. Officially designated by the UN/LOCODE **KMMUT↗**, the port operates under the timezone **Indian/Comoro** and is geographically positioned at **‑12.15° latitude, 44.38° longitude**. Situated on the western coast of Anjouan, the harbour benefits from a natural deep‑water inlet that accommodates both regional cargo vessels and occasional ocean‑going ships. Its strategic location straddles the Mozambique Channel, providing a pivotal link between maritime traffic flowing between the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, and the Atlantic.
## History
### Early Development
The settlement of Mutsamudu dates back to the 15th century when it served as a modest trading post for Swahili, Arab, and Portuguese merchants. Control of the island shifted among the Sultanate of Zanzibar, France, and the Ottoman Empire, each leaving a distinct imprint on the harbour’s infrastructure.
### Colonial Era
During French colonial rule (1886–1975), the port was modernised to support the export of vanilla, cloves, and other cash crops. Dredging works undertaken in the 1930s deepened the channel to a depth of **9 metres**, enabling the berth of larger cargo steamers.
### Post‑Independence
Following Comoros’ independence in 1975, the port experienced intermittent upgrades, often driven by foreign aid from France, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the African Development Bank. The most recent renovation, completed in 2019, introduced a **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) terminal** and upgraded navigational aids to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing Capabilities
Mutsamudu Harbour comprises **four primary berths**:
- **Berth 1 (Container Pier)** – 250 m length, depth 10 m, equipped with two ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes capable of handling 30‑ton containers.
- **Berth 2 (Bulk Cargo)** – 300 m length, depth 9 m, fitted with a shore‑based conveyor system for bulk commodities such as rice, wheat, and construction materials.
- **Berth 3 (Ro‑Ro & Passenger)** – 180 m length, depth 8 m, designed for vehicle ferries and ferry‑type passenger vessels.
- **Berth 4 (General Cargo)** – 200 m length, depth 9 m, with flexible mooring arrangements for break‑bulk cargo.
All berths are linked to a **gravity‑fed water‑distribution network** and a **diesel‑powered auxiliary power supply** to ensure uninterrupted operations during peak periods.
### Supporting Facilities
- **Container Yard** – 12,000 m² paved area with 2,500 TEU capacity, featuring GPS‑enabled gate‑control systems for streamlined customs clearance.
- **Liquid Bulk Terminal** – Dedicated storage for up to 8,000 m³ of diesel and aviation fuel, equipped with secondary containment and leak‑detection sensors.
- **Warehousing** – Climate‑controlled bonded warehouses covering 8,000 m², offering temperature‑regulated storage for perishable goods.
- **Navigational Aids** – A modern VHF‑Coast Guard tower, Automatic Identification System (AIS) base station, and a solar‑powered lighthouse that guides vessels through the narrow channel.
### Maintenance & Operations
The port authority, **Mutsamudu Port Management Office (MPMO)**, operates a dedicated maintenance crew for hull‑cleaning, anti‑fouling, and dredging. Seasonal dredging is performed to maintain a minimum **9‑metre draft**, complying with IMO “Port State Control” requirements.
## Economic Importance
Mutsamudu accounts for **approximately 65 % of Comoros’ total maritime trade volume**. Annually, the port handles **about 350,000 TEU** of containerised cargo and **2.3 million metric tonnes** of bulk and general cargo. The import of **food grains, fuel, and construction materials** directly sustains the island’s food security and infrastructure projects, while exports of **vanilla, cloves, and fish products** generate roughly **US$120 million** in foreign exchange earnings each fiscal year.
The port also supports **over 4,500 direct jobs**, ranging from stevedores and customs officers to port engineers and logistics coordinators. Its operation stimulates ancillary sectors, including **ship repair, tourism, and wholesale distribution**, thereby contributing an estimated **7 % to the national GDP**.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Inbound Routes
Mutsamudu receives vessels from the **East African coast (Dar es Salaam, Mombasa)**, the **Arabian Peninsula (Jeddah, Dubai)**, and the **South‑East Asian hubs (Singapore, Port Klang)**. The majority of inbound container ships belong to the **Indian Ocean Line (IOL) feeder services**, which operate on a **bi‑weekly schedule** to connect smaller Comorian ports with larger trans‑shipment hubs.
### Outbound Routes
Outbound cargo primarily follows **regional intra‑archipelagic routes** to the other two Comorian islands (Grande Comore and Mayotte) and to **Madagascar’s western ports (Toamasina, Antsiranana)**. Additionally, **Ro‑Ro vessels** transport **vehicles and heavy equipment** to and from Tanzania’s mainland ports, especially Dar es Salaam, facilitating trade under the **Indian Ocean Trade Agreement (IOTA)**.
### Dominant Cargo Types
- **Containerised Goods** – household appliances, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.
- **Bulk Commodities** – rice, wheat flour, cement, and fertilizers.
- **Specialised Cargo** – vanilla beans, clove extracts, and dried fish products.
- **Liquid Bulk** – aviation fuel, marine diesel, and lubricating oils for local power generation.
Recent data from the **World Bank’s Maritime Transport Review (2023)** indicates a **12 % year‑on‑year growth** in bulk cargo throughput, driven by increased demand for construction materials in reconstruction projects across the islands.
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*For more detailed vessel schedules and trade statistics, refer to the official **Comoros Port Authority** portal and the **UN/LOCODE** database.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KMMUT
Country
Comoros
Province / Region
Anjouan
Latitude
-12.150000
Longitude
44.380000
Timezone
Indian/Comoro
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Mutsamudu, Anjouan?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Mutsamudu, Anjouan is KMMUT.
Where is Port of Mutsamudu, Anjouan located?
The Port of Mutsamudu, Anjouan is located in Comoros, Anjouan. Its coordinates are -12.1500°N, 44.3800°E.
What time zone is Port of Mutsamudu, Anjouan in?
Port of Mutsamudu, Anjouan operates in the Indian/Comoro 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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Madagascar • 440 km away