UN/LOCODE: MGNOS📍 Madagascar
Port of Nosy-Be (UN/LOCODE MGNOS)
❖ Coordinates: -13.3300°N, 48.2500°E
❖ Time Zone: Indian/Antananarivo
❖ UN/LOCODE: MGNOS
## About the Port
Nosy‑Be (UN/LOCODE **MGNOS**) is the principal deep‑water harbour on Madagascar’s north‑western archipelago, situated at **13°20′ S, 48°15′ E** in the Indian Ocean. The port lies within the **Indian/Antananarivo** time zone (UTC +3) and serves as the maritime gateway for the island of **Nosy Be**, the country's third‑largest tourism hub after Antananarivo and Toamasina. Its natural cove offers protection from the prevailing southeast trade winds, enabling year‑round operations for vessels up to **150 m LOA** (Length Overall). The port’s strategic location—approximately 350 km north of the capital Antananarivo and 1,200 km west of the Suez Canal—makes it a pivotal trans‑shipment point for both regional cargo and cruise liners traversing the western Indian Ocean.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** MGNOS
- **Geographical coordinates:** –13.33 ° latitude, 48.25 ° longitude
- **Timezone:** Indian/Antananarivo (UTC +3)
The port’s administrative oversight falls under the **Madagascar Ports Authority (Autorité Portuaire de Madagascar)**, which coordinates customs, safety, and environmental compliance in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions.
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## History
The harbour at Nosy‑Be traces its origins to the late‑19th century when French colonial authorities recognized the site’s natural anchorage potential for spice and timber exports. Initial infrastructure consisted of a modest slipway and a wooden jetty used primarily for the export of vanilla, cloves, and ylang‑ylang—products for which the island remains globally renowned.
During the **World War II** period, the port was briefly requisitioned by Allied forces as a staging area for naval patrols against Axis submarines operating in the Indian Ocean. Post‑war development accelerated under the Malagasy government’s “National Maritime Modernisation Programme” (1990‑2005), which saw the construction of a 300‑meter reinforced concrete quay, the installation of a 12‑tonne crane, and the introduction of basic navigational aids (including a solar‑powered beacon).
In the early 2010s, a public‑private partnership (PPP) led to the refurbishment of the cargo handling area, incorporating a modern warehouse complex and establishing a dedicated cruise‑terminal to cater to the burgeoning tourism sector. This investment aligned with Madagascar’s broader “Growth and Economic Diversification” strategy, which emphasizes maritime infrastructure as a catalyst for regional development.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
- **Primary berth:** 300 m length, draft **12.5 m** (suitable for Panamax and some post‑Panamax vessels).
- **Secondary berth:** 120 m length, draft **8 m** (accommodates feeder ships and RORO vessels).
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **1 × 12‑tonne mobile gantry crane** (electrically powered, container‑compatible).
- **2 × 5‑tonne forklifts** for bulk and break‑bulk cargo.
- **Roll‑on/roll‑off ramp** with a 10‑tonne load capacity, primarily serving vehicle imports and regional ferries.
### Storage & Warehousing
- **15,000 m²** of covered warehouse space, equipped with climate‑control for perishable goods such as spices and seafood.
- **Open‑yard** capacity for up to **12,000 tonnes** of bulk cargo (e.g., timber, rubber).
### Navigation & Safety
- **Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder** and **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** integration with the regional AIS network.
- **Solar‑powered lighthouse** with a range of **15 nautical miles**, supplemented by a **Differential GPS (DGPS)** beacon for precise vessel maneuvering.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs clearance** handled by the Malagasy Customs Office with electronic filing (e‑Customs).
- **Fueling facilities** provide **Marine Diesel Oil (MDO)** and **Marine Gas Oil (MGO)** at competitive rates.
- **Repair workshops** for minor hull and equipment maintenance, staffed by local maritime technicians certified under the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** framework.
For detailed specifications, see the **World Port Index** entry for Nosy‑Be.
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## Economic Importance
Nosy‑Be’s port contributes an estimated **USD 150 million** annually to Madagascar’s GDP, representing roughly **3 %** of the nation’s total maritime trade value. The economic impact can be segmented into three primary sectors:
1. **Tourism & Cruise Operations** – The port processes an average of **150 cruise ship calls per year**, delivering over **200,000 passengers** who generate direct spending on local hospitality, handicrafts, and excursion services. The cruise terminal’s capacity for **2,500 passengers** per vessel enables rapid turnaround, reducing berth occupancy time to under **4 hours**.
2. **Agricultural Exports** – Nosy‑Be is a major exporter of **vanilla, cloves, and ylang‑ylang**. In 2023, the port shipped **≈ 1,200 tonnes** of high‑value spices, securing premium market prices in the European Union and Asia. The perishability of these products necessitates swift customs clearance and temperature‑controlled storage, which the port’s facilities are expressly designed to support.
3. **Regional Trade Hub** – The harbour functions as a logistics node for the **Comoros, Mayotte, and northern Madagascar**, facilitating the exchange of bulk commodities such as **timber, construction materials, and fuel**. The port’s relatively low tariff structure (average **12 %** duty on imports) encourages re‑export activities, especially for small‑scale manufacturers seeking access to the Indian Ocean market.
Employment data indicate that the port sustains **≈ 1,800 direct jobs** (dockworkers, customs officers, technical staff) and a further **3,500 indirect positions** through ancillary services, underscoring its role as a catalyst for regional socio‑economic development.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Types | Frequency (2023) |
|----------------------|----------------------|------------------|
| **Antananarivo (Toamasina)** | Feeder container ships, bulk carriers | 12 calls / month |
| **Darwin, Australia** | General cargo & livestock | 4 calls / year |
| **Mombasa, Kenya** | RORO & container feeders | 6 calls / month |
| **Rotterdam, NL** (via trans‑shipment) | Container vessels (45 % load) | 2 calls / month |
| **Comoros (Moroni)** | Small cargo vessels | 8 calls / month |
These corridors position Nosy‑Be as an intermediate hub between **East African ports** and the **Asia‑Pacific** trade lanes, facilitating forward‑and‑backward cargo movements that bypass the congested Toamasina gateway.
### Principal Cargo Commodities
- **Export:**
- *Spices*: vanilla (≈ 450 tons), cloves (≈ 300 tons), ylang‑ylang oil.
- *Marine products*: tuna and processed seafood (≈ 200 tons).
- *Timber*: Mahogany and rosewood (≈ 150 tons).
- **Import:**
- *Petroleum products*: diesel & gasoline for island power generation.
- *Construction materials*: cement, steel rebars, and prefabricated modules.
- *Consumer goods*: electronics, textiles, and packaged foods destined for the tourism market.
The cargo mix reflects a **balanced 55 % export / 45 % import** ratio, with a notable rise in **containerized trade** after the 2018 installation of the 12‑tonne gantry crane. Container throughput peaked at **≈ 78,000 TEU** (Twenty‑Foot Equivalent Units) in 2022, a 12 % increase over the previous year, indicating growing demand for efficient intermodal logistics.
#### Emerging Trends
- **Cold‑chain logistics** – Investment in refrigerated containers (reefers) is accelerating, driven by the export of high‑value perishable items such as **vanilla beans** and **exotic fruits**.
- **Renewable energy components** – The port is beginning to handle shipments of **solar panels and wind turbine parts**, aligning with Madagascar’s national renewable‑energy targets for 2030.
For further reading on Madagascar’s maritime trade statistics, consult the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport** (2023 edition).
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*This article synthesizes publicly available maritime data, port authority reports, and international trade publications to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Port of Nosy‑Be. All figures are approximations based on the latest available sources as of 2024.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MGNOS
Country
Madagascar
Province / Region
N/A
Latitude
-13.330000
Longitude
48.250000
Timezone
Indian/Antananarivo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Nosy-Be?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Nosy-Be is MGNOS.
Where is Port of Nosy-Be located?
The Port of Nosy-Be is located in Madagascar. Its coordinates are -13.3300°N, 48.2500°E.
What time zone is Port of Nosy-Be in?
Port of Nosy-Be operates in the Indian/Antananarivo time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.44 m
Wave Direction257°
Swell Height0.42 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Nosy-Be.
Antsiranana
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Mayotte • 340 km awayMutsamudu, Anjouan
Comoros • 440 km away