MUTSAMUDU

• Latitude: -12.166
•
• Longitude: 44.391
•
• East Africa
•
• Port in Comoros

Address: Mutsamudu Anjouan Comoros

Marine Port Description and Specifications: Mutsamudu, Comoros

Location: Mutsamudu is the principal port on the island of Anjouan, which is part of the Comoros archipelago situated in the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean. The port coordinates are approximately 12.167° S latitude and 44.400° E longitude.

Port Overview: The Port of Mutsamudu is strategically important for the Comoros due to its role in facilitating the archipelago’s trade and commerce. It serves as the main entry and exit point for goods to and from Anjouan island and handles the majority of the country’s maritime freight.

Facilities and Infrastructure:

1. Berths and Piers:

   • The port features several berths suitable for both cargo and container vessels. The berths cater to a variety of ship types ranging from general cargo ships to container ships.

2. Storage and Warehousing:

   • The port has dedicated storage facilities including open storage areas and warehouses for different types of cargo. This includes facilities for handling both dry and refrigerated goods.

3. Equipment:

   • Mutsamudu is equipped with essential port handling gear, such as mobile cranes, forklifts, and container handling equipment. This enables the port to manage a range of cargo efficiently.

4. Navigational Aids:

   • The port is well-marked with buoys and beacons to aid navigation. Additionally, pilotage services are available to assist vessels in safely reaching the berths.

5. Customs and Security:

   • The port includes a customs area where goods are inspected and cleared. Security measures are in place to ensure a secure environment for operations, including perimeter fencing and surveillance systems.

6. Depth and Draft:

   • The port has an average depth of around 10 meters at the berths, accommodating medium-sized vessels with a corresponding draft.

Services:

1. Cargo Handling:

   • Mutsamudu handles a variety of cargo including containerized goods, bulk cargo such as cement and grains, as well as liquid cargo.

2. Fuel and Bunker Services:

   • The port offers refueling services for ships, providing bunkering facilities for visiting and local vessels.

3. Shipping Services:

   • Several regional and international shipping lines operate in and out of Mutsamudu, connecting the island to other ports in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

4. Support Services:

   • Additional support services are available, including ship repairs and maintenance, and victualling (provision of supplies for ships).

Economic and Strategic Importance: Mutsamudu Port is not only a central logistics hub for Anjouan Island but also a vital economic engine for the entire Comoros archipelago. It stimulates local commerce by facilitating import and export activities and provides significant employment opportunities in maritime and related sectors.

Future Development Plans: To enhance its capacity and efficiency, several developmental projects are periodically proposed, such as upgrading the port infrastructure, adopting advanced cargo handling technologies, and expanding storage facilities.

Accessibility: The port is accessible via well-established road networks connecting it to other parts of Anjouan Island, ensuring smooth inland transport of goods.

Challenges: Mutsamudu, like many regional ports, faces challenges such as the need for modernization, limited capacity during peak times, and coping with adverse weather conditions.

Contact Information: For detailed operational schedules, ship arrival and departure information, and other port-related inquiries, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the port authority directly.

By leveraging its strategic position and ongoing improvements, Mutsamudu Port continues to play an essential role in bolstering Comoros’s maritime trade and overall economic development.