The shipping platform

Location: Toamasina (Tamatave) is situated 180nm from the N end of the E coast of Madagascar, at the head of a small bay. General overview: Toamasina is the principal port on the island. The harbour itself consists of 3 moles and is large and sheltered with safe anchorage between Apr and Nov. There are 2 entrance channels, but only the North Passage is in use. The harbor is equipped for handling various cargoes including bulk grain, chrome ore, containers, petroleum products, general cargo, and passenger traffic. Shore crane is available only at berth MOLE C3 - an allocated berth especially for container ships. If vessel operates alongside MOLE C3 Berth and one container ship arrives, vessel must leave the berth and give room to the container ship. Cargo work may suffer delays during the rainy seasons Jan-Mar and May-Aug. Traffic figures: Approx 1,500,000t of cargo and 18,870TEU handled annually. Load line zone: South Indian Ocean Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31. Max size: Stern-to tanker berth: LOA 240m, draught 12.3m. Alongside Berth 'C3': LOA 200m, draught 10.5m.