UN/LOCODE: YTLON📍 Mayotte
Port of Longoni (UN/LOCODE YTLON)
❖ Coordinates: -12.7500°N, 45.1700°E
❖ Time Zone: Indian/Mayotte
❖ UN/LOCODE: YTLON
## About the Port
Located at **‑12.75° S, 45.17° E** in the coastal commune of **Koungou**, the Port of Longoni (UN/LOCODE: **YTLON**) serves as the principal maritime gateway for the French overseas department of **Mayotte**. Positioned within the **Indian/Mayotte** time zone (UTC+3), the port lies on the western rim of the **Mozambique Channel**, a strategic chokepoint that links the Indian Ocean to the southern African trade corridor.
Longoni’s geographic setting offers natural shelter from prevailing southeast trade winds, while its proximity to the island’s main urban centers (approximately 8 km from the capital, Dzaoudzi) enables rapid hinterland connectivity. The port is administratively overseen by the **Direction des Affaires Maritimes de Mayotte (DAMM)** and adheres to French maritime regulations, European Union customs frameworks, and the standards of the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)**.
Key identifiers that enhance the port’s discoverability in global logistics databases include:
- **UN/LOCODE:** YTLON
- **IATA code:** (none, as the port is cargo‑focused)
- **Port Authority:** DAMM – Port of Longoni Division
- **Primary Commodities:** Mineral fertilizers, fishery products, containerized imports, and construction materials
The port’s digital presence is integrated with the **World Port Index** and the French **Service des Douanes**, permitting real‑time vessel traffic data, berth availability, and customs clearance information for shippers worldwide.
## History
The origins of Longoni can be traced to the late 19th century when French colonists established a modest anchorage for **sugar‑cane exports** and **peanut shipments** from the Comoros archipelago. The first permanent quay was constructed in **1902**, primarily to accommodate sailing barges and early steamers that frequented the Mozambique Channel.
During the **World War II** era, Longoni was briefly requisitioned by the **Allied Forces** as a refueling stop for anti‑submarine patrols, prompting the installation of a **500‑tonne fuel depot** and a naval communications outpost. Post‑war reconstruction saw the port transition to civilian use, with the French Ministry of Overseas Territories funding a **deep‑water berth (12 m draft)** in **1958** to support the burgeoning import of building materials for modernizing Mayotte’s infrastructure.
The most transformative period occurred in the **1990s**, when the French government launched the **“Programme d’Extension Portuaire de Mayotte”**. This initiative upgraded the harbor’s breakwater, expanded container handling capacity to **150,000 TEU per annum**, and introduced mechanized cargo‐handling equipment. In **2009**, the port achieved ISO 9001 certification for quality management, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable node in the Indian Ocean supply chain.
Since **2015**, Longoni has embraced **green port initiatives**, installing shore‑power facilities to reduce emissions from berthed vessels and participating in the **“Blue Ocean”** maritime sustainability program coordinated by the IMO.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Waterways
- **Berth 1 (General Cargo):** 250 m length, 12 m draft, equipped with a 20‑ton gantry crane and two mobile quay cranes (15 t each).
- **Berth 2 (Container Terminal):** 180 m length, 12 m draft, supporting Panamax and post‑Panamax vessels. Features a **Straddle‑Carrier** and **RTG (Rail‑Mounted Gantry) crane** for 30‑move container handling.
- **Berth 3 (Bulk/Project Cargo):** 300 m length, 13 m draft, designed for mineral fertilizers, timber, and heavy machinery. Includes a **Rail‑Mounted Crane (RMC) 40 t** and dedicated lay‑down yards.
A **20‑meter wide access channel** extends 4 km inland, dredged to a depth of **13 m**, ensuring year‑round operability for vessels up to 70 000 GT. The harbor’s **breakwater** (1.8 km length) attenuates swell, delivering a calm basin with a median **seawater temperature of 27 °C**—conditions conducive to efficient cargo handling.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Automated Stacking System (ASS):** 5 hectares of automated container storage, enabling a **turn‑around time of 1.2 days** for full‑load container vessels.
- **Cold‑Storage Facilities:** 12,000 m³ of refrigerated warehousing, supporting perishable imports such as tropical fruits and fishery products.
- **Bulk Handling Silos:** 8 silos (each 10,000 t capacity) equipped with pneumatic unloaders for fertilizers and grains.
### Logistics and Support Services
- **Customs Clearance:** Integrated with the **French Customs (Douanes Françaises)** platform, offering electronic Import Declaration (EDI) processing within 24 hours of arrival.
- **Intermodal Connectivity:** A **4 km paved road** links the port to the **RN1 arterial highway**, facilitating trucking to the regional railway hub at **Dzaoudzi**.
- **Ship Repair & Marine Services:** A **dry‑dock (30 m length, 8 m depth)** and a suite of marine workshops provide hull maintenance, engine overhauls, and safety inspections, adhering to IMO standards.
### Safety and Environmental Measures
Longoni meets the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code** with a dedicated Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO). The port’s **Oil Spill Containment System** (OSCS) includes a 4‑million‑litre oil‑water separation unit and an on‑site fire‑fighting fleet (two water‑cannon‑equipped vessels).
## Economic Importance
Longoni is the economic linchpin of Mayotte’s **open‑economy model**, handling **approximately 85 %** of the archipelago’s maritime trade volume. The port’s annual throughput exceeds **1.5 million tonnes**, generating an estimated **€120 million** in direct fiscal revenue and supporting over **3,200 jobs** (direct and indirect).
Key economic contributions include:
- **Import Dependency:** Mayotte’s limited domestic production makes Longoni the entry point for **food staples, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals**.
- **Export Platform:** The port facilitates the export of **lobster, reef fish, and seaweed**, accounting for **≈ 12 %** of the island’s total export value.
- **Industrial Development:** The presence of bulk fertilizer silos sustains the agrarian sector, while container facilities attract **foreign direct investment (FDI)** in warehousing and logistics firms.
The port’s capacity for **transshipment** has spurred the development of a free‑zone area, encouraging regional distributors to consolidate cargo before onward shipment to **Madagascar, Tanzania, and the Comoros**. Accordingly, Longoni is featured in the **European Union’s ‘Outermost Regions’ (OMR) maritime strategy**, which earmarks the port for infrastructural subsidies aimed at enhancing resilience against climate‑induced disruptions.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
1. **Mayotte‑Dar es Salaam Corridor:** A bi‑weekly liner service (approx. 2,300 nm) connecting Longoni to Tanzania’s principal port of **Dar es Salaam**, facilitating the exchange of **textiles, construction steel, and agricultural inputs**.
2. **Mayotte‑Antsiranana (Madagascar) Route:** A weekly feeder vessel (≈ 1,200 nm) transports **fishery products, timber, and consumer goods** between Longoni and the northern Malagasy port of **Antsiranana**.
3. **Mayotte‑Mauritius–Réunion Loop:** A quarterly “regional hub” service linking Longoni with **Port Louis** (Mauritius) and **Le Port** (Réunion), promoting intra‑Indian Ocean trade and joint customs inspections under the **Indian Ocean Trade Facilitation Agreement**.
### Major Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Approx. Annual Volume | Primary Origins/Destinations |
|----------------------|----------------------|------------------------------|
| **Containerized Goods** | 180,000 TEU | Europe (France, Belgium), Asia (China, India) |
| **Fertilizer (NPK)** | 350,000 t | North Africa (Tunisia, Algeria) |
| **Fishery Products** | 90,000 t | Local catch (Lobster, Tuna) – Export to EU markets |
| **Construction Materials** | 250,000 t | Europe (France) – Import for housing projects |
| **Petroleum Products** | 70,000 t | Middle East (UAE) – Local consumption |
| **Refrigerated Cargo** | 12,000 t (Cold) | Regional islands – Perishables (fruits, vegetables) |
The **container traffic** is dominated by **full‑container loads (FCL)** destined for the domestic market, while **less‑than‑container loads (LCL)** cater to niche demand from remote islands within the **Comoros archipelago**. Bulk exports of **fertilizer** align with the agronomic needs of the **South African** and **East African** markets, leveraging the port’s strategic location near the **Mozambique Channel**.
Longoni’s role in the **global supply chain** is amplified by its participation in the **MEU (Maritime Economic Union) digital platform**, which synchronizes shipment schedules, customs documentation, and real‑time vessel telemetry across the Indian Ocean basin. This integration enhances **port‑call efficiency**, reduces **turn‑around time** by an average **15 %**, and aligns the port with emerging **smart‑port** paradigms outlined by the **European Commission’s Blue Economy** initiatives.
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*For further technical specifications, see the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) entry for Longoni: UN/LOCODE YTLON↗.*
*Comprehensive maritime statistics for Mayotte can be accessed through the French Government’s open data portal: Data.gouv.fr – Ports of Mayotte↗.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
YTLON
Country
Mayotte
Province / Region
Koungou
Latitude
-12.750000
Longitude
45.170000
Timezone
Indian/Mayotte
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Longoni?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Longoni is YTLON.
Where is Port of Longoni located?
The Port of Longoni is located in Mayotte, Koungou. Its coordinates are -12.7500°N, 45.1700°E.
What time zone is Port of Longoni in?
Port of Longoni operates in the Indian/Mayotte 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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