Which shipping lines serve Madagascar?

The main shipping lines calling at Toamasina are CMA CGM, MSC, PIL (Pacific International Lines), and Maersk. CMA CGM operates the largest number of services into Madagascar, including the Phoenix service from Asia and Indian Ocean regional loops. MSC calls via its Mediterranean and Indian Ocean networks. PIL operates the direct Durban–Toamasina weekly service. Maersk connects Madagascar through its global alliance network via transshipment hubs.

How often do vessels call at Toamasina?

Toamasina receives multiple vessel calls per week across different services. CMA CGM and MSC operate weekly or bi-weekly calls on their mainline routes. PIL calls weekly on the Durban–Toamasina service. The exact frequency depends on the carrier's rotation and whether the service is a mainline or feeder calling. Schedules shift seasonally, so operators should confirm current rotations with their forwarder.

What is the transit time from Durban to Toamasina?

PIL operates the direct Durban–Toamasina service with a port-to-port transit of 5–7 days, making it the fastest sea route into Madagascar. MSC and other carriers routing via Durban typically add a day or two depending on the rotation. The Durban corridor is the primary supply line for southern and eastern Africa cargo heading to Madagascar.

What are the main transshipment hubs for Madagascar?

Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Singapore are the two primary transshipment hubs for Asia–Madagascar cargo. Durban serves as the transshipment point for Africa-origin and some Europe-origin cargo. Mauritius (Port Louis) handles regional Indian Ocean re-routing. Most cargo to Toamasina transships once before arrival, with Colombo and Singapore handling the bulk of Asia-origin volume.

How do I choose between CMA CGM and MSC for Madagascar?

CMA CGM has the deepest Madagascar presence, including the MICTSL terminal concession at Toamasina. They offer the widest service coverage from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. MSC offers competitive rates and strong coverage on the Mediterranean–India Ocean lane. The choice depends on your origin, cargo type, and whether terminal-side relationships matter for your operations. Both offer online container tracking.

Does PIL still operate the Durban–Toamasina service?

Yes, PIL (Pacific International Lines) continues to operate the direct weekly Durban–Toamasina service. This is the fastest sea connection to Madagascar at 5–7 days transit. PIL also connects Madagascar to broader Asian and Middle East networks through transshipment at Singapore and Colombo.

Can I get a direct sailing from Asia to Toamasina?

Direct sailings from Asia to Toamasina are rare. Most Asia–Madagascar cargo transships once, typically at Colombo or Singapore. CMA CGM's Phoenix service offers the most frequent connections from Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other Chinese ports via these hubs. Direct calls happen occasionally but are not reliable enough for planning. Plan for one transshipment when shipping from Asia.

How do vessel schedules change during cyclone season?

Madagascar's cyclone season runs from November to April, with peak risk from January to March. During active cyclone warnings, Toamasina port may restrict or suspend vessel operations. Carriers may skip calls or divert to alternative ports. Schedule reliability drops during this period. Operators should build buffer time into delivery commitments and monitor carrier advisories closely.

Operator's guide

Carriers · Schedules · Transshipment · Reliability · Toamasina

Madagascar shipping lines and carriers: who calls, how often, and what to plan around.

Multiple international shipping lines call at the Port of Toamasina, Madagascar's primary cargo gateway. Understanding which carriers operate which services, where they transship, and how schedules shift with seasonality determines whether your cargo arrives on time or sits waiting at a hub. This guide maps the carriers, the routes, and the practical realities of booking space into Madagascar.

The carriers

Four main shipping lines serve Madagascar regularly.

CMA CGM, MSC, PIL, and Maersk are the primary carriers calling at Toamasina. Each operates different service loops, connects different origin regions, and offers different trade-offs between transit time, cost, and schedule reliability.

CMA CGM

The dominant carrier at Toamasina. CMA CGM operates the Phoenix service from Asia (Shanghai, Shenzhen, Colombo, Singapore) and regional Indian Ocean loops connecting the Middle East, East Africa, and Europe. CMA CGM also holds the MICTSL terminal concession at the Port of Toamasina, giving them operational depth at the port itself. Widest service coverage of any carrier into Madagascar.

MSC

The world's second-largest container line. MSC connects Madagascar via its Mediterranean and Indian Ocean network, with transshipment at Colombo, Singapore, or Durban. Competitive on the Europe–Madagascar and Middle East–Madagascar lanes. MSC offers online container tracking and regularly adjusts rotations based on demand.

PIL (Pacific International Lines)

Operates the direct Durban–Toamasina weekly service, the fastest sea route into Madagascar at 5–7 days transit. PIL also connects Madagascar to Asia via Singapore transshipment. The Durban corridor PIL serves is critical for southern African cargo and time-sensitive shipments.

Maersk

Maersk connects Madagascar through its global alliance network, typically transshipping via Colombo or Singapore. Used less frequently than CMA CGM or MSC for Madagascar-specific volume, but available for shippers with existing Maersk contracts or those needing global network integration.

CMA CGM services

The deepest carrier presence at Toamasina.

CMA CGM operates the most services into Madagascar, including the Phoenix service from Asia and regional Indian Ocean loops. They also hold the terminal concession at MICTSL, giving them operational control at the port.

01
Phoenix Service
Weekly
Shanghai → Shenzhen → Colombo → Toamasina → backhaul
The primary Asia–Madagascar link. Connects Chinese manufacturing hubs to Toamasina via Colombo transshipment. The most frequently used service for China-origin cargo headed to Madagascar.
02
Indian Ocean Regional Loop
Bi-weekly
Mumbai → Nhava Sheva → Colombo → Toamasina → Durban → backhaul
Connects India and the subcontinent to Madagascar. Nhava Sheva and Mumbai cargo transships via Colombo. Also picks up Malagasy export cargo heading to India and South Africa.
03
Middle East–Indian Ocean
Weekly
Jebel Ali → Muscat → Toamasina → backhaul
Links UAE and Gulf cargo to Madagascar. Handles halal imports, pharma cold chain, and general consumer goods from the Middle East.

MSC services

The second-largest line with growing Madagascar coverage.

MSC connects Madagascar via its Mediterranean and Indian Ocean network, with transshipment at Colombo or Singapore. Competitive on the Europe–Madagascar and Middle East–Madagascar lanes.

01
Mediterranean–Indian Ocean
Bi-weekly
Genoa → Barcelona → Tangier → Colombo → Toamasina → backhaul
Connects Europe to Madagascar via the Mediterranean network. Transshipment at Colombo. Used for European manufactured goods, machinery, and automotive parts.
02
Asia–Indian Ocean
Weekly
Singapore → Port Klang → Colombo → Toamasina → backhaul
Links Southeast Asian cargo to Madagascar via Singapore and Colombo transshipment. Competitive on rate for non-urgent Asia-origin shipments.

PIL services

The fastest direct connection to Madagascar.

PIL operates the direct Durban–Toamasina weekly service, the fastest sea route into Madagascar at 5–7 days. This service is critical for time-sensitive cargo and southern African re-export flows.

01
Durban–Toamasina Direct
Weekly
Durban → Toamasina → Durban
The fastest sea route into Madagascar at 5–7 days port-to-port. Critical for southern African cargo, time-sensitive shipments, and re-export flows via South Africa.
02
Asia–Toamasina via Singapore
Bi-weekly
Singapore → Colombo → Toamasina → backhaul
Connects Asian manufacturing to Madagascar via Singapore transshipment. An alternative to CMA CGM Phoenix for shippers with PIL contracts.

Other carriers

Additional lines with occasional or indirect Madagascar coverage.

Beyond the four main carriers, other lines connect to Madagascar through alliance networks and transshipment. These are less frequently used for Madagascar-specific volume but remain available.

Hapag-Lloyd

Occasional calls at Toamasina via alliance network transshipment. Not a primary carrier for Madagascar but available for global contract holders.

Evergreen

Connects Madagascar indirectly via Asia and Colombo transshipment. Used by shippers with Evergreen contracts on broader Indian Ocean lanes.

Regional feeders

Smaller regional vessels operate between Madagascar and Mauritius, Comoros, and Réunion. These are typically feeder services rather than mainline operations.

Reading schedules

How to read and verify vessel schedules for Toamasina.

Published schedules are a starting point, not a guarantee. Carriers adjust rotations, blank sailings appear without notice, and transshipment connections shift. Four ways to stay ahead of schedule changes.

01
Check carrier websites
CMA CGM, MSC, and Maersk publish vessel schedules on their websites. Search by port name (Toamasina or TMM) to see upcoming calls. Schedules update weekly and may shift without notice.
02
Use your forwarder
Freight forwarders have direct access to carrier booking systems and real-time schedule data. They can confirm sailing dates, space availability, and cut-off times faster than public schedules.
03
Monitor blank sailings
Carriers cancel sailings (blank sailings) during low-demand periods or when schedule gaps appear. Check for blank sailing advisories, especially during off-peak months and around Chinese New Year.
04
Track vessel positions
Use MarineTraffic, VesselFinder, or the carrier's own tracking tool to monitor actual vessel positions. Real-time tracking helps predict arrival more accurately than published schedules.

Transshipment hubs

Where cargo transships before reaching Toamasina.

Most cargo to Madagascar transships once before arrival. The hub determines your transit time, your connection risk, and the carrier options available to you.

Colombo

Primary transshipment hub for Asia–Madagascar cargo

Colombo handles the bulk of Asia-origin cargo transshipping to Toamasina. CMA CGM, MSC, and other mainlines use Colombo as the hub where cargo moves from large mainline vessels to regional feeders bound for Toamasina.

Singapore

Secondary hub for Southeast Asia and feeder connections

Singapore connects Southeast Asian cargo and provides feeder services to Colombo and then Toamasina. Also serves as a fallback when Colombo connections are disrupted.

Durban

Africa-origin and Europe-origin transshipment

Durban is the transshipment point for cargo originating in southern and eastern Africa, as well as some Europe-origin cargo. PIL's direct Durban–Toamasina service eliminates the need for further transshipment on this corridor.

Port Louis (Mauritius)

Regional Indian Ocean re-routing

Mauritius handles regional re-routing and re-export through the Mauritius Freeport. Used for Indian Ocean Commission trade flows and time-sensitive regional cargo.

Reliability

How each carrier performs on the Madagascar lane.

Schedule reliability varies by carrier, service, and season. Here is an honest read on what each carrier does well and where the weaknesses are for Madagascar operations.

CMA CGM
Most reliable for Madagascar
CMA CGM's terminal concession at Toamasina and the Phoenix service's established rotation give them the most predictable schedule on the Asia–Madagascar lane. Transshipment at Colombo is well-oiled. Best for shippers who need consistency.
PIL
Fastest, most direct
PIL's Durban–Toamasina direct service is the fastest and most straightforward route into Madagascar. The short transit minimises schedule risk. Less affected by transshipment delays than Asia-origin services.
MSC
Competitive, improving
MSC has expanded its Madagascar presence. Schedule reliability varies by service and season. Competitive on rate and improving on service quality. Good option for cost-conscious shippers with flexible timelines.
Maersk
Global network, variable Madagascar
Maersk offers global network integration but is less focused on Madagascar as a specific market. Schedule reliability depends on the transshipment hub connection. Best for shippers with existing Maersk global contracts.

Choosing a carrier

Match the carrier to your cargo, not the other way around.

The cheapest rate on paper means nothing if your cargo misses a connection at Colombo or sits at Toamasina because the carrier's terminal relationship is weak. Match your choice to origin, urgency, and cargo type.

Asia-origin cargo, regular volume: CMA CGM Phoenix. The most established rotation, the deepest terminal presence at Toamasina, and the most predictable transshipment at Colombo.
Time-sensitive, southern African origin: PIL Durban–Toamasina. Five to seven days transit, no transshipment, straight into Toamasina.
Europe-origin cargo: MSC or CMA CGM via Colombo. Both offer established Europe–Madagascar rotations through the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean networks.
Cost-conscious, flexible timeline: MSC. Competitive rates with improving reliability. Accept longer transit windows and verify connections before booking.
Global contract holder: Maersk. If you already have a Maersk global contract, their alliance network can route cargo to Madagascar, though schedule predictability is lower than CMA CGM or PIL on this specific lane.

Seasonal changes

How carrier schedules and availability shift through the year.

Shipping into Madagascar follows clear seasonal patterns. Knowing when to book early, when rates spike, and when cyclone risk disrupts port operations gives you an edge over operators who react instead of plan.

Peak season (September–November)
The busiest shipping period for Madagascar imports. Carriers tighten space allocation, rates increase, and booking windows shorten. Book 4–6 weeks in advance for FCL. LCL consolidation fills quickly.
Pre-Chinese New Year (January–February)
Chinese factories shut down for 1–2 weeks. Carriers blank sailings. Cargo that is not shipped before the shutdown faces weeks of delay. Plan 3–4 weeks ahead and ship early.
Cyclone season (November–April)
Toamasina port operations may be disrupted by cyclone warnings. Vessels skip calls or divert. Build buffer time into delivery commitments. Monitor carrier advisories and port authority notices.
Off-peak (May–August)
Lower demand means more space availability and competitive rates. Good period for large or project cargo shipments. Schedules are more reliable with fewer blank sailings.

Common questions

Madagascar shipping lines, answered.

Which shipping lines serve Madagascar?: The main shipping lines calling at Toamasina are CMA CGM, MSC, PIL (Pacific International Lines), and Maersk. CMA CGM operates the largest number of services into Madagascar, including the Phoenix service from Asia and Indian Ocean regional loops. MSC calls via its Mediterranean and Indian Ocean networks. PIL operates the direct Durban–Toamasina weekly service. Maersk connects Madagascar through its global alliance network via transshipment hubs.
How often do vessels call at Toamasina?: Toamasina receives multiple vessel calls per week across different services. CMA CGM and MSC operate weekly or bi-weekly calls on their mainline routes. PIL calls weekly on the Durban–Toamasina service. The exact frequency depends on the carrier's rotation and whether the service is a mainline or feeder calling. Schedules shift seasonally, so operators should confirm current rotations with their forwarder.
What is the transit time from Durban to Toamasina?: PIL operates the direct Durban–Toamasina service with a port-to-port transit of 5–7 days, making it the fastest sea route into Madagascar. MSC and other carriers routing via Durban typically add a day or two depending on the rotation. The Durban corridor is the primary supply line for southern and eastern Africa cargo heading to Madagascar.
What are the main transshipment hubs for Madagascar?: Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Singapore are the two primary transshipment hubs for Asia–Madagascar cargo. Durban serves as the transshipment point for Africa-origin and some Europe-origin cargo. Mauritius (Port Louis) handles regional Indian Ocean re-routing. Most cargo to Toamasina transships once before arrival, with Colombo and Singapore handling the bulk of Asia-origin volume.
How do I choose between CMA CGM and MSC for Madagascar?: CMA CGM has the deepest Madagascar presence, including the MICTSL terminal concession at Toamasina. They offer the widest service coverage from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. MSC offers competitive rates and strong coverage on the Mediterranean–India Ocean lane. The choice depends on your origin, cargo type, and whether terminal-side relationships matter for your operations. Both offer online container tracking.
Does PIL still operate the Durban–Toamasina service?: Yes, PIL (Pacific International Lines) continues to operate the direct weekly Durban–Toamasina service. This is the fastest sea connection to Madagascar at 5–7 days transit. PIL also connects Madagascar to broader Asian and Middle East networks through transshipment at Singapore and Colombo.
Can I get a direct sailing from Asia to Toamasina?: Direct sailings from Asia to Toamasina are rare. Most Asia–Madagascar cargo transships once, typically at Colombo or Singapore. CMA CGM's Phoenix service offers the most frequent connections from Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other Chinese ports via these hubs. Direct calls happen occasionally but are not reliable enough for planning. Plan for one transshipment when shipping from Asia.
How do vessel schedules change during cyclone season?: Madagascar's cyclone season runs from November to April, with peak risk from January to March. During active cyclone warnings, Toamasina port may restrict or suspend vessel operations. Carriers may skip calls or divert to alternative ports. Schedule reliability drops during this period. Operators should build buffer time into delivery commitments and monitor carrier advisories closely.

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