Madagascar – Transport
– A new strategy for maritime transport

Madagascar has a rich maritime and marine heritage with 5,400 km of coastline, around twenty listed seaports, approximately 1,200,000 km² of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and more than 2 million km² of Search and Rescue Region. 

Adapted to the country's realities, the National Maritime Policy (PNTM) will serve as a national benchmark and guide government action over the long term by clearly and firmly outlining the essential guidelines for good governance and integrated regulation of the sector. The primary objective is for Madagascar to become more competitive internationally, whether in terms of port infrastructure, maritime personnel, or navigation equipment.

It is structured around five strategic axes: transparent, integrated, professional and inclusive maritime transport governance; competent human resources at the service of maritime transport; modern, safe, competitive and local ports; safe and secure ships and navigation; a clean environment protected from the harmful effects of maritime transport.

With this new policy, Madagascar intends to make the maritime transport sector one of the leading socio-economic sectors, in order to enable it to assume its insularity – the 4th largest island in the world – and to establish its reputation at the regional and continental level.

The Island of Madagascar has seventeen ports: Fort-Dauphin, Manakara, Mananjary, Toamasina, Sainte-Marie, Maroantsetra, Antalaha, Vohémar, Antsiranana, Port Saint-Louis, Nosy Be, Antsohihy, Mahajanga, Maintirano, Morondava, Morombe, Tuléar. Four of them are classified as «Ports of National Interest»: Antsiranana, Tuléar, Mahajanga and Toamasina. The latter have port infrastructures allowing the carrying out of commercial operations of loading and unloading long-distance ships.