Port intelligence
Toamasina · Terminal · Services · Madagascar
Port of Toamasina — Madagascar's Primary Cargo Gateway
Toamasina, on Madagascar's east coast, is the island's largest port and handles roughly 90% of the country's seaborne trade. Nearly every container import clears here before moving inland on the RN2 corridor to Antananarivo. The container terminal is operated by MICTSL, a CMA CGM subsidiary, with mainline carrier calls from CMA CGM, MSC, and PIL on regular schedules.
At a glance
Toamasina port in numbers.
90%
of Madagascar's seaborne trade
moves through Toamasina
1
container terminal
operated by MICTSL (CMA CGM)
5–27
day transit range
depending on origin corridor
24/7
terminal operations
year-round availability
Terminal operations
MICTSL runs the container terminal.
The Madagascar International Container Terminal Services Limited (MICTSL), a subsidiary of CMA CGM Terminal, operates the container terminal at Toamasina. The terminal handles FCL and LCL container operations with modern gantry cranes, reach stackers, and reefer power points. MICTSL manages vessel berthing, cargo handling, and yard operations for all mainline carrier calls.
MICTSL is a subsidiary of ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.), a Philippines-based global port operator. ICTSI signed a 20-year concession in 2005 and extended it in 2021 for an additional 15 years until 2040, making it one of the longest-running public-private partnerships in Indian Ocean port infrastructure.
The full customs clearance process at Toamasina — ASYCUDA World filing, DGD liaison, risk-channel management — is detailed on the Madagascar customs clearance page.
Port services
What moves through Toamasina.
FCL Container Handling
Full container load services for 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft HC containers. Mainline carrier calls from CMA CGM, MSC, and PIL with regular schedules across all major corridors.
LCL Consolidation
Less than container load consolidation for smaller shipments. Groupage services from regional origins with competitive transit times.
Break-Bulk & Project Cargo
Heavy-lift and out-of-gauge cargo handling with crane access and specialised stowage. Project cargo coordination for mining, construction, and infrastructure.
Cold Chain (Reefer)
Reefer container management with continuous temperature monitoring. Critical for pharma, seafood, and vanilla exports requiring controlled environments.
Bonded Warehousing
Bonded storage and temporary admission (Admission Temporaire) regimes for cargo awaiting clearance or re-export.
Inland Delivery (RN2)
Road haulage on the RN2 corridor from Toamasina to Antananarivo and beyond. The only practical inland route for containerised cargo.
Why Toamasina
Why ship through Toamasina.
For most importers and exporters, Toamasina is not a choice — it is the market reality. But understanding why it works matters for planning your supply chain.
01
Only major container gateway
Toamasina is the only port in Madagascar with a fully equipped container terminal handling mainline vessel calls. All other ports serve regional or mineral flows.
02
Direct carrier coverage
CMA CGM, MSC, PIL, and Maersk/Safmarine call at Toamasina with regular schedules. Direct services from Durban (5–7 days), Jebel Ali (13–15 days), and transhipment from Shanghai, Nhava Sheva, and Europe.
03
Established customs infrastructure
ASYCUDA World filing through GasyNet, DGD liaison, and risk-channel management. The port's customs ecosystem is the most mature in Madagascar.
04
RN2 inland corridor
The RN2 road links Toamasina directly to Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital and largest consumer market. This is the only practical route for containerised cargo inland.
05
Terminal modernisation
MICTSL continues to invest in terminal equipment and efficiency, maintaining the port's position as Madagascar's primary commercial gateway.
Related
Plan your shipment through Toamasina.
How freight forwarding works in Madagascar: ports, corridors, customs clearance, and how to choose a forwarder.
Shipping corridors into Toamasina with transit times, carriers, and operator intelligence for each lane.
ASYCUDA World filing, DGD liaison, risk-channel management, and the full customs process at Madagascar's main port.
Reefer container management, temperature monitoring, and GDP-compliant pharma flows through Toamasina.
Common questions
Toamasina port, answered.
- What is the Port of Toamasina?
- Toamasina (Tamatave) is Madagascar's largest port, handling approximately 90% of the country's seaborne trade and nearly all containerised cargo. Located on the east coast, it is the primary gateway for imports and exports, with goods moving inland on the RN2 corridor to Antananarivo.
- Who operates the container terminal at Toamasina?
- The container terminal is operated by MICTSL (Madagascar International Container Terminal Services Limited), a subsidiary of ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.). MICTSL handles containerised cargo with modern equipment, including gantry cranes and reach stackers.
- What services does Toamasina port offer?
- Toamasina handles FCL and LCL container shipping, break-bulk cargo, project cargo including heavy-lift and out-of-gauge, reefer container management for cold chain logistics, and standard general cargo. The port also supports bonded warehousing and temporary admission regimes.
- How much cargo does Toamasina handle annually?
- Toamasina handles the large majority of Madagascar's seaborne trade, with annual container throughput managed by MICTSL. The port processes both import and export flows, including vanilla, seafood, minerals, and consumer goods.
- What is ICTSI's role at Toamasina?
- ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.) operates the container terminal at Toamasina through its subsidiary MICTSL (Madagascar International Container Terminal Services Ltd). ICTSI signed a 20-year concession in 2005, extended in 2021 until 2040, and has modernised the terminal with gantry cranes, RTG cranes, and ISO-certified management systems.
- Why should I ship through Toamasina?
- Toamasina is the most practical gateway for Madagascar trade. It has the only major container terminal on the island, connects directly to the RN2 road corridor for inland delivery to Antananarivo, and is served by mainline carriers including CMA CGM, MSC, and PIL with regular schedules.
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