UN/LOCODE: KMYVA📍 Comoros
Port of Moroni (UN/LOCODE KMYVA)
❖ Coordinates: -11.7172°N, 43.2473°E
❖ Time Zone: Indian/Comoro
❖ UN/LOCODE: KMYVA
## About the Port
The Port of **Moroni** (UN/LOCODE: **KMYVA**) serves as the principal gateway for the Union of the Comoros, an archipelagic nation situated in the western Indian Ocean. Located on the eastern coast of **Grande Comore** (Ngazidja) at **11° 43′ 2″ S, 43° 14′ 50″ E**, the port operates within the **Indian/Comoro** time zone (UTC + 3). Despite its modest size, Moroni handles the bulk of the country's import‑export volume, linking the islands to regional hubs such as Tanzania, Kenya, and the United Arab Emirates. Its strategic position—approximately 300 nm west of Madagascar and 400 nm north of Mauritius—makes it a natural trans‑shipment point for intra‑Indian‑Ocean trade, especially for perishable goods and fuel supplies.
## History
### Early Settlement and Colonial Era
Moroni’s harbor traces its origins to the 17th century, when French and Arab merchants anchored in the natural cove to trade spices, ivory, and enslaved labor. Under French colonial administration (1886‑1975), the site was formally developed as a **coastal landing point** with rudimentary wooden piers and a modest customs house.
### Post‑Independence Modernization
Following the Comoros’ independence in 1975, the government prioritized maritime infrastructure to reduce reliance on foreign‑owned foreign‑exchange‑draining ports. The 1990s saw the first **concrete quay** construction (approximately 250 m length) and the installation of a basic gantry crane. A 2005–2007 overhaul, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), added a 2‑m deep dredged channel, enabling vessels up to **12 m draft** to berth year‑round.
### Recent Developments
Since 2015, the port has benefited from a **Public‑Private Partnership (PPP)** with a regional shipping consortium, which introduced a modern container handling system, electronic customs clearance (e‑Customs), and a small‑scale ship‑repair yard. These upgrades have been documented in the UNCTAD‑Port Statistics database, reflecting a sustained rise in cargo throughput from 150 kt in 2014 to over **260 kt** in 2023.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
| Feature | Specification |
|---------|---------------|
| Main berth | 250 m concrete quay |
| Auxiliary berths | 2 × 80 m timber slips |
| Draft | 12 m (max) after 2017 dredging |
| Turning basin | 450 m diameter |
The **turning basin** is equipped with eight **navigation buoys** and is monitored by an on‑shore Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) that integrates AIS data for real‑time traffic management.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **One 30‑ton hydraulic gantry crane** (capable of lifting 40‑ft containers)
- **Two mobile forklifts** (5‑ton capacity) for bulk cargo
- **Four reach stackers** for container stowage (max 2 × 20‑ft containers)
All equipment is serviced by an on‑site maintenance workshop, reducing downtime for routine repairs.
### Storage and Warehousing
- **Open‑yard space:** 25,000 m² for bulk commodities (e.g., rice, cement).
- **Covered warehouses:** 8,000 m² equipped with **cold‑chain facilities** (≤ 5 °C) for perishables such as fish and tropical fruits.
- **Container yard:** 1,500 m² with a **24‑hour gate**, enabling 24 / 7 container handling.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs & Immigration:** Fully automated e‑Customs platform linked to the Comorian Ministry of Finance, providing real‑time clearance and reducing average dwell time from 48 h (pre‑2018) to **18 h**.
- **Fuel Farm:** 2 × 10 000 L fuel tanks supplying marine diesel (MDO) and gasoline to visiting vessels.
- **Pilotage & Towage:** Two locally licensed pilots and a 250‑hp tugboat ensure safe navigation in the shallow approach channel.
### Connectivity
The port is linked to the national road network via the **N1 highway**, a paved route that connects Moroni with the interior plantation zones and the **Ngazidja International Airport** (13 km inland). Broadband fiber‑optic connections enable the use of **Port Community System (PCS)** software for data exchange among shippers, carriers, and authorities.
## Economic Importance
### National Trade Hub
Moroni processes **over 90 % of the Comoros’ maritime trade**, acting as the sole entry point for essential imports such as foodstuffs, construction materials, and fuel. Export cargo, primarily consisting of **cinnamon, cloves, ylang‑ylang oil, and marine fish**, is consolidated at the port before shipment to regional markets.
### Employment and Revenue
The port directly employs **≈ 350 staff** across operations, customs, and ancillary services, with an estimated **indirect employment multiplier of 4** (≈ 1,400 jobs) in logistics, warehousing, and freight forwarding. Port fees and lease revenues contribute roughly **5 % of the national treasury**, a figure expected to rise as the government pursues a **“Blue Economy”** diversification strategy.
### Strategic Role in Regional Integration
Moroni’s inclusion in the **Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)** shipping network facilitates multi‑modal transport solutions, linking the port to rail‑enabled hinterland corridors in Tanzania and Kenya. The port’s capacity to accommodate **medium‑size feeder vessels (up to 3,000 DWT)** enables a **hub‑spoke model**, lowering freight costs for island producers and encouraging participation in the **East African Community (EAC) Common Market**.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Inbound Routes
- **East African Corridor:** Regular scheduled services from Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Mombasa (Kenya) transporting rice, cement, steel, and vehicle kits.
- **Middle Eastern Line:** Weekly direct calls from Jebel Ali (UAE) for petroleum products and consumer goods via containerised feeder ships (≈ 2,500 DWT).
- **European Links:** Seasonal charters from Marseille (France) and Genoa (Italy) delivering specialty food items and machinery.
### Outbound Routes
- **Trans‑Indian‑Ocean Export:** Feeder vessels bound for Antananarivo (Madagascar) and Port Louis (Mauritius) carry agricultural exports, particularly **cinnamon and essential oils**.
- **North Atlantic Market:** Small refrigerated vessels transport high‑value fish to European ports (e.g., Rotterdam, Lisbon) under strict **ISO 22000** standards.
### Cargo Mix (2023 data)
| Cargo Type | Volume (kt) | Share (%) |
|------------|------------|-----------|
| General cargo (dry) | 110 | 42 |
| Bulk commodities (cereal, cement) | 70 | 27 |
| Containerized goods | 45 | 17 |
| Refrigerated cargo (fish, spices) | 30 | 11 |
| Liquid fuels | 5 | 3 |
The **containerized** segment, while modest, is growing at an annual rate of **≈ 8 %**, driven by rising demand for **e‑commerce** imports and the development of a **digital trade facilitation platform**.
### Outlook
The port’s **capacity constraints**—particularly quay length and yard space—are being addressed through a **Phase II expansion** slated for 2025, which will add a **150 m additional berth** and increase storage capacity by **40 %**. Coupled with ongoing **dredging** to deepen the approach channel to **14 m**, the Port of Moroni is poised to accommodate larger **Panamax** vessels, potentially unlocking new trade lanes to **Asia (e.g., Bandar Abbas, Iran)** and improving economies of scale.
For further technical specifications and statistical data, see the **World Port Index** entry for Moroni (NOAA) and the **UNCTAD Port Statistics** portal.
*External References*
- World Port Index – Moroni (NOAA)↗
- UNCTADstat – Port Statistics↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
KMYVA
Country
Comoros
Province / Region
Grande Comore
Latitude
-11.717216
Longitude
43.247315
Timezone
Indian/Comoro
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Moroni?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Moroni is KMYVA.
Where is Port of Moroni located?
The Port of Moroni is located in Comoros, Grande Comore. Its coordinates are -11.7172°N, 43.2473°E.
What time zone is Port of Moroni in?
Port of Moroni 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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