Port Intelligence
Toamasina Port Intelligence Dashboard
Toamasina Port Intelligence is a real-time operational dashboard tracking congestion, dwell times, carrier reliability, and infrastructure progress at Madagascar's primary commercial port — handling 90% of the country's seaborne trade.
Toamasina handles 90% of Madagascar's seaborne trade. Average dwell time is 2 days. CMA CGM operates weekly services; MSC runs the Indian Ocean loop. Port extension targeting 400k TEU by 2028.
Current Status
Port Status Overview
Congestion Level
ModerateAvg. Dwell Time
2days
Vessels in Port
8active
TEU Capacity (2028 Target)
400KTEU
Historical Data
Port Performance Trends
Monthly averages over the past 12 months. Data reflects container dwell time, vessel throughput, and TEU volume at MICTSL terminal.
| Month | Avg. Dwell (days) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 2.3 | |
| Oct 2025 | 2.4 | ▲ |
| Nov 2025 | 2.8 | ▲ |
| Dec 2025 | 3 | ▲ |
| Jan 2026 | 3.3 | ▲ |
| Feb 2026 | 3.6 | ▲ |
| Mar 2026 | 2.7 | ▼ |
| Apr 2026 | 2.4 | ▼ |
| May 2026 | 2.1 | ▼ |
| Jun 2026 | 1.9 | ▼ |
| Jul 2026 | 1.8 | ▼ |
| Aug 2026 | 2 | ▲ |
Carrier Intelligence
Carrier Reliability to Toamasina
CMA CGM
MSC
PIL
Infrastructure
Port Extension Progress
Overall Completion
71%
Target: 400,000 TEU capacity by 2028 (from current ~220,000 TEU)
Key Infrastructure Specs
Seasonal Risk
Cyclone Season Alert
November — April
Southwest Indian Ocean cyclone season. Peak activity occurs in January and February. During severe weather events, Toamasina port operations may be temporarily suspended, causing vessel delays of 3-7 days and cascading schedule disruptions.
Peak Risk Months
January & February
Highest cyclone frequency — plan shipments accordingly
Typical Port Closure
2–5 days
Average suspension per cyclone event
Recommended Buffer
+7–14 days
Add to transit estimates during cyclone season
Planning Tips
- •Ship cargo before November to avoid peak cyclone disruption
- •Book early — carrier space tightens as shippers front-load before the season
- •Maintain communication with your transitaire for real-time port status updates
- •Consider marine cargo insurance with cyclone coverage for high-value shipments
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current congestion level at Toamasina port?+
Toamasina port is currently experiencing moderate congestion. Average vessel waiting times have improved compared to 2024, with the port handling approximately 22,000 TEU per month. The port extension project is on track to reduce congestion further by 2028.
How long do containers typically dwell at Toamasina?+
Average container dwell time at Toamasina is approximately 2 days, down from 3+ days in early 2024. This reflects improved terminal operations by MICTSL and better customs clearance efficiency through ASYCUDA World.
Which carriers serve Toamasina port?+
Three main carriers serve Toamasina: CMA CGM (weekly Phoenix and IOEX services), MSC (weekly Indian Ocean loop), and PIL (ad-hoc or bi-weekly service). CMA CGM is also the majority shareholder of terminal operator MICTSL.
When is cyclone season in Madagascar?+
Cyclone season in the Southwest Indian Ocean runs from November to April, with peak activity in January and February. During this period, port operations at Toamasina may be temporarily suspended for safety, causing potential cargo delays.
What is the Toamasina port extension project?+
The Toamasina port extension aims to increase container handling capacity from approximately 220,000 TEU to 400,000 TEU by 2028. The project includes new STS cranes, expanded berth space, and improved yard facilities. As of mid-2026, the project is approximately 71% complete.
What is the maximum draft at Toamasina port?+
The maximum draft at Toamasina port is 12.3 meters, which accommodates most Panamax and some Post-Panamax vessels. The container quay length is 400 meters.
How much of Madagascar's trade passes through Toamasina?+
Toamasina handles approximately 90% of Madagascar's seaborne trade, making it the country's primary commercial port and a critical gateway for imports and exports.
What is MICTSL?+
MICTSL (Madagascar International Container Terminal Services Ltd) is the terminal operator at Toamasina port, with a majority stake held by CMA CGM Terminal. MICTSL manages container handling, berthing, and yard operations.
How reliable are shipping schedules to Toamasina?+
Carrier reliability varies: CMA CGM achieves approximately 78% on-time performance, MSC around 72%, and PIL approximately 68%. Delays of 1-2 days are common, and cyclone season (Nov-Apr) can cause additional disruptions.
What percentage of shipments to Madagascar arrive late?+
Approximately 63% of shipments to Madagascar arrive late, according to industry data. This underscores the importance of buffer time in supply chain planning and working with experienced local logistics partners.
What are the main causes of delays at Toamasina port?+
Primary causes of delays include customs clearance backlogs, cyclone season disruptions, limited berth capacity, and vessel schedule irregularities. The port extension project and improved ASYUDA processes are addressing these issues.
How can I track my shipment at Toamasina?+
You can track your shipment through your carrier's online tracking system using your booking or container number. For customs clearance status, ask your transitaire (customs broker) who monitors ASYCUDA World updates in real time.
Need Help?
Planning a Shipment to Madagascar?
Get real-time port intelligence, carrier advice, and customs clearance support from Ekutano — your local logistics partner at Toamasina.
Talk to an ExpertReference
Glossary
- TEU
- Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit — the standard measure for container ship capacity and port throughput. One 20ft container = 1 TEU; one 40ft container = 2 TEU.
- Dwell Time
- The average number of days a container stays inside the port terminal from discharge to gate-out. Lower dwell times indicate faster cargo clearance and less congestion.
- MICTSL
- Madagascar International Container Terminal Services Ltd — the terminal operator at Toamasina port, majority-owned by CMA CGM Terminal (ICTSI subsidiary).
- Congestion Level
- A qualitative assessment of port congestion based on vessel waiting times, berth occupancy, and yard utilization. Ranges from Low to Severe.
- On-Time Performance
- The percentage of vessel calls that arrive within 24 hours of the scheduled arrival time. A key metric for carrier reliability assessment.
- STS Crane
- Ship-to-Shore Crane — a large dockside gantry crane used for loading and unloading containers from container ships. Toamasina received its first STS cranes in 2026.
- Cyclone Season
- The annual tropical cyclone season in the Southwest Indian Ocean basin, running from November to April with peak activity in January–February.
- PMLP-T
- Plateforme Multimodale Logistique de Toamasina — a planned multimodal logistics platform near Toamasina port to improve cargo handling and inland connectivity.