UN/LOCODE: SCMAW📍 Seychelles
Port of Mahe (UN/LOCODE SCMAW)
❖ Coordinates: -4.6827°N, 55.4804°E
❖ Time Zone: Indian/Mahe
❖ UN/LOCODE: SCMAW
## About the Port
Located on the north‑west shore of Mahé Island, the **Port of Mahe** (UN/LOCODE **SCMAW**) serves as the principal gateway for the Republic of Seychelles. Positioned at **4.6827° S, 55.4804° E** and operating on **Indian/Mahe (UTC +4)**, the port benefits from a naturally protected deep‑water basin sheltered by coral reefs and a modest tidal range of 0.5 m. Its strategic position in the western Indian Ocean places it midway between the East African coast, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian sub‑continent, making it a critical hub for both regional trade and trans‑Indian‑Ocean shipping lanes.
The port is administered by the **Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA)**, which oversees pilotage, traffic separation schemes, and customs clearance. While the surrounding harbour is relatively compact, the facility has been progressively modernised to accommodate containerised cargo, roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) vessels, and passenger ferries that link the archipelago’s 115 islands.
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## History
### Early Foundations
Mahé’s maritime importance dates back to the **15th century**, when Arab and later European navigators first used the island’s lagoons as anchorage points for spice‑trade voyages. French colonists established the first formal dockyard in **1770**, primarily to support naval provisioning and export of copra and ebony.
### British Era and Post‑Colonial Development
Following the **Treaty of Paris (1814)**, the island passed to British control. The colonial administration expanded the quay and introduced steam‑powered dredgers, deepening the channel to accommodate larger cargo ships. By the **1930s**, Mahé had become the principal import hub for the Seychelles, handling everything from textiles to machinery.
After independence in **1976**, the Seychelles government nationalised port operations, creating the **Seychelles Ports Authority** in 1979. The 1990s saw the introduction of container handling equipment, while the early 2000s brought a dedicated passenger terminal to serve the burgeoning tourism sector. Recent upgrades (2015‑2022) focused on reinforcing quay structures, installing modern **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** technology, and improving customs automation in line with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** standards.
*Reference: International Maritime Organization – Port State Control (https://www.imo.org).*
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
- **Four deep‑water berths** with a nominal draught of **12.5 m** (suitable for Panamax and limited post‑Panamax vessels).
- A **Ro‑Ro berth** capable of handling vehicles and cruise ships up to **30,000 GT**.
- A dedicated **passenger terminal** with a capacity of **1,200 passengers per day**, equipped with immigration, customs, and retail amenities.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Capacity | Remarks |
|-----------|----------|---------|
| Mobile gantry cranes | 30 t lift | Serves containerised cargo |
| Forklift fleet | 5‑15 t | Handles break‑bulk and pallets |
| Cold‑storage warehouses | 12,000 m³ | Supports perishable imports (fish, fruits) |
| Bulk‑grain silos | 5,000 t | Primarily for rice and wheat imports |
### Support Services
- **Pilotage**: Mandatory for vessels >5,000 GT; pilots are licensed by SPA.
- **Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)**: 24‑hour monitoring using AIS (Automatic Identification System) and radar.
- **Customs & Excise**: Fully integrated electronic data interchange (EDI) platform enabling pre‑arrival clearance.
- **Logistics parks**: Adjacent to the quay, offering warehousing, container depots, and light‑industrial zones.
The port’s **electrically powered quay lights** comply with **International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)**, and a **shallow‑draft channel** on the eastern side provides refuge for smaller fishing vessels.
*External reference: World Port Source – Mahé Port (https://www.worldportsource.com).*
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National GDP
Maritime trade accounts for **≈ 68 %** of Seychelles’ total imports and **≈ 71 %** of exports, translating to an estimated **US$ 1.3 billion** in annual trade value. The Port of Mahe alone generates roughly **US$ 120 million** in direct revenue, representing **≈ 5 %** of the nation’s GDP.
### Employment and Skill Development
The port employs **~ 1,200** individuals across operations, logistics, and ancillary services, with a further **2,500** jobs indirectly supported in transport, warehousing, and tourism. Continuous training programmes, often in partnership with the **African Development Bank**, focus on cargo handling, safety compliance, and digital customs procedures.
### Strategic Role in Tourism
Mahé is the primary entry point for **≈ 1.2 million** tourists annually. Cruise liners docking at the Ro‑Ro berth bring an average of **200,000** passengers per year, stimulating local businesses and generating **US$ 30 million** in tourism‑related revenue.
### Regional Connectivity
As one of the few deep‑water ports in the western Indian Ocean, Mahé functions as a **transshipment node** for neighbouring islands (e.g., Praslin, La Digue) lacking dedicated facilities. It also supports humanitarian and disaster‑relief operations, given its proximity to cyclone‑prone regions.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Shipping Lanes
- **East Africa ↔ Mahé**: Regular services from Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) transport construction materials and agricultural inputs.
- **Middle East ↔ Mahé**: Weekly liner calls from Dubai (UAE) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) carry oil products, petrochemical goods, and consumer merchandise.
- **South Asia ↔ Mahé**: Direct voyages from Mumbai and Colombo deliver textiles, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.
- **Europe ↔ Mahé**: Via the Suez Canal, occasional feeder vessels from Rotterdam and Hamburg supply luxury goods and high‑value electronics.
### Cargo Profile
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput | Key Origins/Destinations |
|------------|----------------------------|--------------------------|
| **Petroleum products** (fuel oil, diesel) | 30 % | Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) |
| **Refrigerated foods** (fish, fruits) | 22 % | Local catch; imports from South Africa |
| **Containerised consumer goods** (electronics, apparel) | 18 % | Asia (India, China) |
| **Construction materials** (cement, steel) | 12 % | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) |
| **Vehicles & spare parts** (Ro‑Ro) | 9 % | Europe (Germany, United Kingdom) |
| **Miscellaneous break‑bulk** (pharmaceuticals, chemicals) | 9 % | Global sources |
The Port of Mahe handles an estimated **≈ 150,000 TEU** annually, a modest figure relative to major global hubs but significant for a micronation of **≈ 98 km²**. Seasonal spikes occur during the **December–January tourism peak**, when passenger‑freight traffic surges.
### Future Outlook
Projected cargo growth of **3‑4 % per annum** over the next decade is driven by expanding **eco‑tourism** initiatives, the development of a **free‑zone logistics park**, and anticipated **mega‑container ship calls** facilitated by the recent dredging program (target depth 13 m). The SPA’s strategic roadmap emphasizes digitalisation, green port practices (e.g., shore‑side electricity), and deeper integration into **Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)** trade frameworks.
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*The Port of Mahe, with its blend of historic legacy and modern infrastructure, remains a linchpin of Seychelles’ maritime economy, bolstering both domestic development and regional connectivity across the Indian Ocean.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SCMAW
Country
Seychelles
Province / Region
N/A
Latitude
-4.682669
Longitude
55.480396
Timezone
Indian/Mahe
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Mahe?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Mahe is SCMAW.
Where is Port of Mahe located?
The Port of Mahe is located in Seychelles. Its coordinates are -4.6827°N, 55.4804°E.
What time zone is Port of Mahe in?
Port of Mahe operates in the Indian/Mahe 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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