UN/LOCODE: TGLFW📍 Togo
Port of Lome (UN/LOCODE TGLFW)
❖ Coordinates: 6.1725°N, 1.2314°E
❖ Time Zone: Africa/Lome
❖ UN/LOCODE: TGLFW
## About the Port
The **Port of Lomé** (UN/LOCODE: **TGLFW**) is the principal deep‑water gateway on the Gulf of Guinea, situated at **6.1725° N, 1.2314° E** in the Maritime Region of the Togolese Republic. Operating under the **Africa/Lome** timezone (UTC +0), the port serves as a critical hub for both containerised and bulk cargoes moving through West Africa. Managed by the **Autorité Portuaire du Lomé (APL)**, the facility combines a natural harbor with modern quay infrastructure, enabling year‑round operations for vessels up to 180 000 DWT. Its strategic location—mid‑way between Accra (Ghana) and Cotonou (Benin)—positions Lomé as a transshipment and distribution centre for land‑locked neighbours such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.
## History
The origins of Lomé’s maritime activity trace back to the late 19th century when German colonial authorities established a modest jetty to export timber and cocoa. Following the post‑World‑War I mandate transfer to France, the port underwent systematic expansion: the first major quay (Quay 1) opened in 1960, coinciding with Togo’s independence.
In the 1970s, a **container terminal** was constructed to accommodate the burgeoning global container trade, and the 1980s saw the introduction of a **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) facility** to support vehicular imports. The 1990s brought significant dredging projects, deepening the approach channel to a draft of 12 m, thereby attracting larger Panamax‑class vessels.
The 2000s marked a pivot toward regional integration. Lomé became a member of the **ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS)**, enabling duty‑free movement of goods across member states. Recent upgrades—most notably the **Phase II expansion (2020‑2023)**—have added a 600‑meter container berth, automated gate systems, and a state‑of‑the‑art customs clearance platform aligned with the **World Customs Organization (WCO)** standards.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminals
| Terminal | Primary Cargo | Length (m) | Depth (m) | Equipment |
|----------|---------------|------------|-----------|-----------|
| Container Terminal | TEU containers | 600 | 12.5 | 5 Super‑post-Panamax gantry cranes, 8 RTG stacks |
| General Cargo & Bulk | Grain, cement, steel | 450 | 11.0 | 3 mobile gantry cranes, 2 conveyor belts |
| Ro‑Ro | Vehicles, containers on wheels | 350 | 10.5 | 4 stern ramps, 3 side ramps |
| Oil Terminal | LPG/NG | 200 | 10.0 | 2 loading arms, 4 storage tanks (total 150 k m³) |
### Supporting Facilities
* **Warehousing:** 85 000 m² of covered storage, including temperature‑controlled cold rooms for perishables.
* **Logistics:** An **in‑port rail link** (1 km) connects the container yard to the national railway network, facilitating onward transport to interior markets.
* **Customs & Security:** A **single‑window electronic clearance system** (e‑Customs) allows pre‑arrival document submission, reducing vessel turnaround time to an average of **18 hours** for container ships.
* **Ancillary Services:** Pilotage, towage, bunker supply, ship‑repair workshops, and a **dry dock** capable of handling vessels up to 150 m LOA.
### Navigational Infrastructure
The **approach channel** is dredged to a maintained depth of 12 m (plus 1 m under keel clearance) and is equipped with **differential GPS (DGPS)** and **AIS** beacon stations, ensuring safe navigation under both day and night conditions. The port operates **24 / 7** with a **traffic‑control tower** overseeing vessel movements and berth allocations.
## Economic Importance
The Port of Lomé contributes roughly **15 %** of Togo’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and handles **≈ 9 million tonnes** of cargo annually (2023 figures). Its economic impact extends beyond national borders:
* **Trans‑border Trade:** Approximately **40 %** of cargo throughput is destined for land‑locked ECOWAS members, making Lomé an essential conduit for imports of foodstuffs, construction materials, and machinery.
* **Employment:** Direct port operations employ over **4 500** workers, while ancillary sectors (logistics, customs brokerage, trucking) generate an additional **12 000** jobs.
* **Revenue Generation:** Port fees, dock dues, and ancillary services generate an estimated **US$ 250 million** in fiscal revenues each year, underpinning public investment in infrastructure and social services.
The port’s **free‑zone** status, introduced in 2015, offers tax incentives and simplified customs procedures for value‑added processing activities. This has attracted **manufacturing firms** (e.g., agro‑processing, textiles) that use the port as a **export platform**, further diversifying Togo’s export basket beyond traditional commodities such as cocoa and cotton.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Regional Trade Corridors
Lomé sits at the heart of several key **West African trade corridors**:
* **North‑South Corridor:** Linking the port to **Burkina Faso**, **Mali**, and **Niger** via the **Trans‑West African Highway (A3)**, facilitating movement of bulk commodities like grain and minerals.
* **East‑West Corridor:** Connecting to **Côte d’Ivoire** and **Ghana** through the **Coastal Highway (A1)**, supporting the flow of containerised manufactured goods and automotive parts.
The port also participates in the **Trans‑Atlantic Shipping Network**, hosting regular services by major liner operators (e.g., Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM) on the **Europe–West Africa** route, with calls at Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Algeciras before proceeding to Lomé.
### Principal Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Approx. Share of Throughput | Key Export/Import Partners |
|----------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| **Containers (TEU)** | 45 % | Europe (Germany, France, UK), USA, China |
| **Bulk Solid (cereals, cement, steel)** | 30 % | Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger |
| **Liquid Bulk (LPG, refined petroleum)** | 12 % | United Arab Emirates, Nigeria |
| **Ro‑Ro (vehicles, trucks)** | 8 % | Japan, South Korea, Turkey |
| **General Cargo & Project Goods** | 5 % | EU, West African inland markets |
**Key export commodities** from Togo via Lomé include **cocoa beans, coffee, cotton, and phosphates**, while **imports** are dominated by **machinery, refined petroleum products, fertilizers, and construction materials**. The port’s **container turnover** is bolstered by **electronic data interchange (EDI)** adoption, which aligns with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) Port State Control (PSC)** guidelines, enhancing efficiency and compliance.
### Future Outlook
Projected growth rates of **4‑5 % per annum** (UNCTAD, 2024) anticipate that Lomé will handle **≈ 12 million tonnes** by 2030, driven by expanding **intra‑regional value chains** and the ongoing **Phase III expansion**—planned to add a **second container berth** and **automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems**. Continuous investments in **green port initiatives**, such as shore‑power facilities and low‑sulphur fuel bunkering, are expected to align Lomé with emerging **IMO 2025 emission standards**, further cementing its role as a sustainable gateway for West African trade.
*For detailed statistical data and port performance indicators, consult the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Review of Maritime Transport 2024.*
*Additional insights into regional logistics frameworks can be found on the World Bank’s West Africa Transport Strategy portal.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
TGLFW
Country
Togo
Province / Region
Maritime
Latitude
6.172497
Longitude
1.231362
Timezone
Africa/Lome
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Lome?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Lome is TGLFW.
Where is Port of Lome located?
The Port of Lome is located in Togo, Maritime. Its coordinates are 6.1725°N, 1.2314°E.
What time zone is Port of Lome in?
Port of Lome operates in the Africa/Lome 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.
📍 Nearby Ports
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