Africa is a large continent surrounded by oceans and home to some of the largest and most strategically important seaports in the world. Annual container port throughput in Africa totals close to 39 m TEU, and over half of it is handled in Northern Africa. Below, we will explore the largest seaports in Africa by container volume, giving insights into their rankings and characteristics.
Key seaports in Africa – a map
Africa’s seaports are crucial gateways for importing and exporting goods to and from the continent. Most of the containers are handled in Morocco (nearly 10 m TEU) and Egypt (over 8 m TEU), followed by South Africa (4 m TEU). Here’s a map of major container seaports in Africa.
Largest seaports in Africa
5. Port of Alexandria (Egypt)
- Location: Northern Egypt, on the Mediterranean Sea
- Annual throughput in 2023: 1.6 million TEU
- Growth rate (2022/2023): +10%
- Key commodities: Petroleum products, textiles, grain, and construction materials
The port of Alexandria is one of the oldest and key ports in Africa. It is strategically positioned at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Red Sea shipping routes. The port’s proximity to the Suez Canal makes it an essential transshipment hub for cargo traveling between Europe and Asia.
4. Port of Damietta (Egypt)
- Location: Northern Egypt, on the Mediterranean Sea
- Annual throughput in 2023: 1.77 million TEU
- Growth rate (2022/2023): +60%
- Key commodities: Petroleum products, textiles, grain, and construction materials
Damietta Port is a significant maritime hub. It’s situated about 70km west of Port Said. The port handles a variety of cargo, including containers, dry and liquid bulk, and breakbulk. The total area is 11,8 million m2.
Port of Durban (South Africa)
- Location: Eastern South Africa, on the Indian Ocean coast
- Annual throughput in 2023: 4.1 million TEU
- Growth rate (2022/2023): -3.07%
- Key commodities: Automotive products, chemicals, bulk goods, agricultural products
The Port of Durban is one of the most important container ports in Africa. It handles a large percentage of South Africa’s international trade and is a key shipping hub for neighboring countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Zambia. The port’s strategic location and modern infrastructure contribute to its rapid growth in handling container traffic. Most of the container traffic is handled by the Durban Container Terminal.
2. Port Said (Egypt)
- Location: Egypt, near the entrance to the Suez Canal
- Annual throughput in 2023: 4,4 million TEU
- Growth rate (2022/2023): +4.4%
- Key commodities: Petroleum, grains, petrochemicals, and containerized cargo
The Port of Port Said is one of the largest ports in Africa by container volume, with a yearly throughput of over 4 million TEU. It is located at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, and facilitates trade between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is divided into Port Said, West Port, and East Port, with the majority of handling done in East Port Said.
The largest port in Africa, Tanger Med (Morocco)
- Location: Morocco, on the Strait of Gibraltar
- Annual throughput in 2023: 10.2 million TEU
- Growth rate (2022/2023): +18.8%
- Key commodities: Automobiles, agricultural products, textiles, chemicals
Tanger Med is a global logistics hub, located on the Strait of Gibraltar. It is connected to more than 180 ports in 70 countries. Tanger Med Port consists of four container terminals handling all sorts of cargo. According to (Financial Times Ranking, it is the No. 1 Automotive Zone in the World and the No. 2 Economic Zone in the World.
Check other posts about the biggest ports all over the world.
