Freight consultancy
Antananarivo · Toamasina · Madagascar
Madagascar Freight Company — Ekutano Advisory.
Ekutano Advisory is a freight consultancy based in Antananarivo, Madagascar. We help importers and exporters choose carriers, negotiate rates, manage shipments, and clear customs. We are not a shipping line. We are the advisors who make sure your cargo moves on time, at the right cost.
Who we are
A freight consultancy that puts your cargo first.
Madagascar's freight market is shaped by a small number of carriers, a single primary port at Toamasina, and documentation requirements that punish errors. Importers who navigate this alone often pay more than they should and lose days to preventable clearance delays.
Ekutano Advisory exists to fix that. We work across all carriers serving Madagascar, comparing rates and routes to match your shipment with the best option. Our team manages the documentation sequence from booking through customs clearance, so your cargo clears at Toamasina without the delays that catch importers who handle it themselves.
We are based in Antananarivo, which means we are close to the port, close to the customs process, and close to the inland logistics network. That proximity gives us visibility that offshore forwarders cannot match.
What we do
Six services that cover the full freight chain.
Cargo consultancy
We assess your cargo requirements, shipping lanes, and delivery timelines, then recommend the most cost-effective solution. No guesswork, no unnecessary spend. A clear plan before anything moves.
Carrier selection and negotiation
We compare offers across CMA CGM, MSC, PIL, and other carriers to match your shipment with the right line. Our negotiating volume gets rates that individual importers cannot access directly.
Shipment tracking and management
From booking through delivery, we monitor your cargo at every stage. Transhipment connections, vessel ETAs, port status, customs progression. You get updates before you need to ask.
Customs advisory
We prepare your documentation sequence, manage ASYcargo World filings, and handle DGD liaison at Toamasina. The goal is green-channel clearance, and we design the document set to get there.
Documentation support
Commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, BSC filing, certificates of origin. Every document checked against the others for consistency before submission. Mismatches cost days; we eliminate them.
Inland transport coordination
Cargo released at Toamasina still needs to reach Antananarivo, the interior, or a project site. We book and coordinate the trucking, so you do not have to manage a separate logistics layer.
The process
From enquiry to delivery, six steps.
Every shipment follows the same sequence. The details change with cargo type and route, but the structure stays the same: we assess, recommend, book, track, clear, and deliver.
01
Enquiry
You contact us with your cargo details: what you are shipping, origin, destination, and timeline. Phone, WhatsApp, email, or the contact form on our site.
02
Assessment
We review the shipment against available carriers, routes, transit times, and documentation requirements. This takes one business day for standard requests.
03
Recommendation
We present options with honest pricing. Rates, transit estimates, routing, and any documentation or compliance notes. You choose what fits your needs and budget.
04
Booking and coordination
Once you approve, we book with the carrier, manage the documentation sequence, file the BSC, and coordinate origin logistics if required.
05
Tracking and updates
We monitor the shipment through transit, transhipment, and arrival. You receive proactive updates on vessel movement, port status, and any issues that arise.
06
Customs and delivery
At Toamasina, we manage the ASYcargo filing and clearance process. Once released, we coordinate inland delivery to your final destination.
Industries
Freight solutions across seven sectors.
Textiles and garments
EPZ garment logistics, AGOA-compliant exports to the US, and fabric and trim imports from Asia. We understand the documentation chain for preferential trade.
Automotive
Vehicle imports, spare parts, and commercial fleet logistics. Documentation, HS classification, and duty planning for automotive cargo.
Pharmaceuticals
GDP-compliant cold chain, temperature monitoring, and documentation for regulated pharmaceutical imports into Madagascar.
Consumer goods
Retail and wholesale imports from China, India, the UAE, and Europe. FCL and LCL management with attention to packaging, labelling, and clearance speed.
Mining
Project cargo, heavy-lift equipment, consumables, and mineral export logistics. Customs regime selection and RN2 corridor coordination.
Agriculture
Fertiliser imports, equipment, and agricultural export logistics including vanilla, seafood, and spices. Phytosanitary and compliance documentation.
Construction
Steel, cement, fixtures, and heavy equipment for infrastructure projects. Bulk and container shipments with project timelines in mind.
Why Ekutano
Five reasons importers choose Ekutano Advisory.
01
Local expertise
We are based in Antananarivo. We know the customs process at Toamasina, the carriers that call the port, the inland routes, and the documentation that clears cargo without delay.
02
Global network
We work with carriers and partners across China, India, the UAE, South Africa, and Europe. Your cargo is managed at both ends, not just at the Malagasy port gate.
03
Carrier relationships
We are not exclusive to any shipping line. We compare rates and service levels across carriers to match your shipment with the right option, not the one that pays us the most.
04
Transparent pricing
We show you the rate components: ocean freight, origin charges, destination fees, customs costs. No hidden markups, no vague line items. You know what you are paying and why.
05
Personalised service
Every shipment gets a dedicated point of contact. We do not route you through a call centre. You deal with someone who knows your cargo and your business.
Where we operate
All of Madagascar, with depth in the key entry points.
Our team is based in Antananarivo. We coordinate cargo through every port and airport on the island, with the strongest coverage at Toamasina and the RN2 inland corridor.
Antananarivo
Our home base. Inland delivery from Toamasina via the RN2 corridor, plus air freight coordination through Ivato International Airport.
Toamasina
Madagascar's primary cargo gateway. We manage customs clearance and port operations at the MICTSL terminal for all types of cargo.
Mahajanga
Northwest Madagascar. Sea freight via the port of Mahajanga and overland delivery from Toamasina for cargo destined to the Boeny region.
Antsiranana
Northern Madagascar. Inland transport coordination for cargo entering through Antsiranana port or delivered overland from Toamasina.
Client feedback
What our clients say.
"Ekutano saved us 12% on our China-Madagascar lane in the first quarter. More importantly, our clearance time at Toamasina dropped from five days to two. They know the process."
Import manager, Antananarivo-based retailer
"We had a project cargo shipment stuck at Toamasina for a week before we called Ekutano. They sorted the documentation in two days. Now they handle all our Madagascar logistics."
Operations director, international construction firm
Common questions
Madagascar freight company, answered.
- What does Ekutano Advisory do?
- Ekutano Advisory is a freight consultancy based in Antananarivo, Madagascar. We help importers and exporters choose the right carriers, negotiate competitive rates, manage shipments end to end, and clear customs at Toamasina and other Malagasy ports. We are not a shipping line or a trucking company. We are the advisors who make sure your cargo moves on time, at the right cost, with the right documentation.
- What services does Ekutano offer?
- Our services include cargo consultancy, carrier selection and negotiation, shipment tracking and management, customs advisory and documentation support, inland transport coordination, and project cargo planning. We cover sea freight, air freight, and intermodal solutions across all major trade corridors serving Madagascar.
- How does Ekutano help importers save money?
- We compare rates across multiple carriers and routes to find the best option for your cargo type, volume, and timeline. Our carrier relationships give us access to negotiated rates that individual importers cannot secure on their own. We also identify documentation issues early, avoiding costly delays and penalties at Toamasina.
- Which carriers does Ekutano work with?
- We work with all major carriers serving Madagascar, including CMA CGM, MSC, PIL, and Maersk. We are not locked into a single line, so we can recommend the carrier that fits your specific shipment rather than the one that pays us the highest commission.
- Which areas of Madagascar does Ekutano serve?
- We serve all of Madagascar. Our team is based in Antananarivo and we coordinate cargo through the Port of Toamasina, Ivato International Airport, and other entry points. We also handle inland delivery to any destination on the island, including Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara.
- How do I get started with Ekutano?
- Send us a message through our contact page or reach us by phone or WhatsApp. Tell us what you are shipping, where it is coming from, and when you need it delivered. We will assess the options and come back with a clear recommendation within one business day.
- Does Ekutano handle customs clearance?
- Yes. We provide customs advisory and documentation support for imports and exports through Malagasy ports. Our team manages ASYcargo World filings, DGD liaison, BSC processing, and risk-channel response. We work with licensed customs brokers at Toamasina to ensure your cargo clears efficiently.
- Can Ekutano manage project cargo?
- Yes. We plan and coordinate project cargo shipments for mining, construction, and infrastructure projects across Madagascar. This includes heavy-lift and out-of-gauge cargo, customs regime selection for project equipment, and inland transport to remote sites.
Need a freight consultancy in Madagascar? Talk to us first.
Send your cargo details, origin, and timeline. We will assess the options, compare carriers, and come back with a clear recommendation within one business day.
Phone: +261 34 20 640 03
Email: contact.ekutano@gmail.com