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Madagascar - 2.1.8 Port of Antalaha
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Port Overview 

The port of Antalaha is the second biggest of the SAVA region after Vohemar. 

This port is not able to receive containers or to do international shipment but local cabotage with Toamasina and local product transfer (vanilla, cloves…) ensure enough activity to keep the port busy all year long. 

The SAMA Company (Henry Fraise subsidiary) is in charge of the port management. 

While the port is still operational, it suffers of a lack of maintenance and the SAMA is advocating to get funds to consolidate and rehabilitate the berths. 

The port is also suffering with a silting problem at the docking ramp level and needs to be dragged to receive bigger “beachers” boats. 

 Today, because of the shallow waters, only vessels with a draft of less than 1m80 can berth in Antalaha. 

RoRo operation is possible with side- and quarter-ramp vessels. 

 

Port website: This port has no specific website 

Key port information may also be found at: Port of Antalaha MGANM map, contact details and vessel arrivals by Maritime Database (maritime-database.com) 

 

Port Location and Contact 

Country 

Madagascar 

Province or District 

Antsiranana 

Nearest Town or City 

with Distance from Port 

Antalaha 

N/A 

Port's Complete Name 

Port of ANTALAHA 

Latitude 

-14.901217° 

Longitude 

50.282216° 

Managing Company or Port Authority 

 

SAMA 

(Société D’Acconage et de Manutention d’Antalaha) 

Management Contact Person 

APMF Port Officer : 

Mr RAKOTONIRINA Alain 

+26132 07 160 64 

portantalaha@gmail.com 

Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures 

Sambava Airport: 90 km 

Only domestic flights Antananarivo and Antsiranana  

 

Port Picture 

image-20231019130959-1

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Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

The SAMA has the global concession and manages all types of activities at the port level: safety, handling, and material / facilities management. 

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

 

Port Performance 

Seasonal Constraints 

 

Occurs 

Time Frame 

Rainy Season 

Yes 

From December to June 

Major Import Campaigns 

 No 

n/a 

Other Comments 

Cyclonic season from February to May 

 

Handling Figures for 2022 

Vessel Calls 

384 

Container Traffic (TEUs) 

N/A 

 

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2022 

Bulk (MT) 

29 000 

Break bulk (MT) 

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

See point 2.1 Port Assessment for the reference price list 

 

Berthing Specifications 

Type of Berth 

Quantity 

Length 

(m) 

Maximum 

Draft (m) 

Comments 

Conventional Berth 

115 m 62 m 

1 m 80 

N/A 

Container Berth 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Silo Berth 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Berthing Tugs 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

Water Barges 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

N/A 

 
 

General Cargo Handling Berths 

Cargo Type 

Berth Identification 

Imports - Bagged Cargo 

Main quay 

Exports - Bagged Cargo 

Main Quay 

Imports and Exports - RoRo 

N/A 

Other Imports 

N/A 

 

Port Handling Equipment 

Is the port equipment managed by the government or privately? Governement APMF 

The port equipment and facilities are owned by SAMA (privately) and are managed by its own staff. 

 

Equipment 

Available 

 

Total Quantity and Capacity Available 

Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage 

Dockside Crane 

No 

N/A 

N/A 

Container Gantries 

No 

N/A 

N/A 

Mobile Cranes 

Yes 

2 x 3t 

Conventional mobile crane (small), of low capacity, in good condition, used for handling assistance. 

Reachstacker 

No 

N/A 

N/A 

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer) 

No 

N/A 

N/A 

Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines 

No 

N/A 

N/A 

Transtainer 

No 

N/A 

N/A 

Forklifts 

No 

N/A 

N/A 

 

Container Facilities 

Facilities 

20 ft 

40 ft 

Container Facilities Available 

 

N/A 

Container Freight Station (CFS) 

Refrigerated Container Stations 

Other Capacity Details 

N/A 

Daily Take Off Capacity  
(Containers per Day)  

Number of Reefer Stations  
(Connection Points) 

Emergency Take-off Capacity  

Off take Capacity of Gang Shift  
(Containers per Shift)  

Customs Guidance 

Customs are available on site; they are mainly doing the regulation of loading and unloading. 

For more information on customs in Madagascar, please see the following link:  1.3 Customs Information here.   

 

Terminal Information 

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL 

The 2 conventional berth on the level of the port can received all types of cargo: bagged cargo, break-bulk and bulk. 

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING 

All activities of grain and bulk handling are done manually by Dockers, with possibility of a crane assistance.  

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL 

SAMA has a warehouse located nearest at the port for temporary storage of FRETs. This is in good condition, accessible to trucks and can store all categories of conventional cargo (which does not require specific installation). The storage cost is 5000 Ar / Tonnes / 15 days. 

 

Storage Type 

Number of Storage Facilities 

Area (m2) 

Bagged and General Cargo  

200 m2 (500T max) 

Refrigerated Cargo 

None 

n/a 

Stevedoring 

All handling activities / stevedoring at the level of the port can either be done by SAMA either by the receiver but SAMA rates are much higher than if negotiated directly with the Dockers. 

Hinterland Information 

The Antalaha port is only connected to the hinterland destinations by road within the SAVA region. 

All types of truck can have access on the port and his berth. 

 

Port Security 

Security 

ISPS Compliant 

No 

Current ISPS Level  
(Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional) 

n/a 

Police Boats 

No 

Fire Engines 

No 

 

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