The majority of Africa’s GDP is generated from maritime activities, with over 90% of the continent’s imports and export transported by sea to international trade.
Even though there are challenges faced by port operations across Africa, there are still many potentials in African Ports. Here’s a list of the top ports in Africa and a few reasons why they’re on the list.
Port Durban, South Africa
Port Durban Important for its connectivity to the Far East, Middle East, Australasia, South America, North America and Europe. 60% of the total number of containers handled at all South African ports pass through Durban Port. With the capacity of handling about 1.55 million containers, 31.4 million tons of cargo yearly and an on record to have handled a staggering 4.7 million TEUs in 2019.
Port Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Port of Abidjan is one of West Africa’s biggest ports. Mostly used as a point for transshipments to West and Central Africa generating around 80% of its customs revenues. The vitality of the cocoa trade isn’t just economically important for Côte d’Ivoire, the third-largest cocoa bean exporter globally but also West Africa. Fulfilling an annual container capacity of 1.5 million TEU.
Port Tanger Med, Morocco
The port is the largest in the Mediterranean and Africa by capacity. In 2019, the port was upgraded to handle 9M TEU from 3.5M and is now ranked the 37th largest port in the world.
Apapa Port, Nigeria
Well known for its busy environments and trajectory to serve other landlocked countries. Port of Apapa Container Terminal has six berths and also contains 6.5 thousand sqm covered storage. The container yard can handle 1.4 million TEU, and it contains 298 reefer plugs.
Port Mombasa, Kenya
The Port of Mombasa is the gateway and exit point for cargo belonging to a vast hinterland that includes Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia. The port has a capacity of 1.4 million TEUs. Further, it is the busiest port in East & Central Africa with an annual growth cargo throughput of about 10 %, and it is among the top ten fastest-growing container ports in Africa.
Port Said, Egypt
Port Said has a capacity of about 3.1 million shipping containers. Port Said handles approximately 15 million tons of cargo every year on vessels with 13 meters draft. Port Said contains a Dry Bulk Terminal with combined silos and warehouses, which can store about two million tons. The Container Terminal has 8 berths. The terminal’s capacity is 700,000 TEUs.
