Port-Louis Harbour
Mauritius
Location: | Southern Africa, Island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar |
Geographic co-ordinates: | 20 17 S, 57 33 E |
Area: | 2040 sq km; land 2030 sq km; water 10 sq km; includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (St Brandon) and Rodrigues |
Maritime claims:
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Measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines 12 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin |
Mauritian Flag: | ![]() |
About Mauritius
Mauritius is situated in the south-west of the Indian Ocean, 2 000 km from the east coast of Africa. The island lies just within the Tropic of Capricorn 20° south of the Equator and 57° east of Greenwich. It is of volcanic origin and forms part of the group of islands commonly known as the Mascarenes, which comprise also the Reunion Island and Rodrigues Island.
The island of Mauritius which has an area of 1 864 sq. km is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs. Within those reefs are peaceful lagoons, ringed by smooth beaches of white coral sand. There is a break in the coral reef only in the south where part of the coast is steep and rocky.Mauritius has a maritime climate, tropical during summer and sub-tropical during winter. The summer months extend from October to March and winter from June to September.
Mauritius Ports Authority
Time line
1980-1990 | Transformation of Port-Louis from a lighterage port to new one with deep water alongside facilities |
1990-2000 | Major historical phase of port development; erecting of the Mauritius Container Terminal (MCT) |
2000-2001 | Port-Louis Harbour recorded growth in transhipment traffic |
2010 | The Mauritius Ports Authority was handed the coveted for ‘Most Improved Cruise Terminal Facility’ at the 26th Annual Cruise Shipping Miami conference and Exhibition |
2011 | The Mauritius Ports Authority was awarded ‘The Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Port 2011 |
Port Services
Pilotage
- Compulsory for all vessels over 100 GRT
- Round the clock service on request, with exception to white oil and LPG tankers which are berthed between sunrise and sunset
Navigational Aids
- Automated lighthouses and navigational lights are situated at various locations in Mauritius, Rodrigues and on Flat Island to facilitate navigation
Port Louis Harbour Radio
- Port Louis Harbour Radio (call sign 3BB) is the official coast radio for radio communications, manned round the clock throughout the year.
Port Emergency and Environment Unit
- Fire-watch during unloading of white oil products and other dangerous goods
- Trained personnel operating on a 24-hour basis
- Also equipped with anti-pollution equipment
Outer Anchorage
- Safe anchorage is available outside the harbour limits in depths varying from 14 metres to 70 metres.
Surveyors
- Lloyd's Registered Surveyors are available for marine and cargo surveys.
Cargo Handling
- Cargo handling services are provided by the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL)
Port Security
- Port Louis Harbour is ISPS compliant since 1 July 2004
- The port area is secured by a perimeter fencing system
- Access control at various gate posts
- CCTV control system (103 cameras), covering the perimeter, the harbour and other
- sensitive areas around the clock
- Security officers work round the clock at the various facilities
- Access passes are issued at the Central Pass Office
Other services
Other support services provided by the port and other operators include:
- workshop facilities,
- garbage removal,
- provision of fresh water supply,
- bunkering,
- ship repairs,
- ship chandlers,
- transport and logistics,
- bulk services, cold storage,
- warehousing,
- Freeport facilities.
- Underwater cleaning
Port Facilities
TERMINAL I
Quay | Length (m) | Dredged depth(m) | Type of traffic handled |
A | 210 | 12.20 | Fuel oil, Edible oil, General cargo, Maize, Molasses, Soya-bean meal, Wheat, Passengers and Inter-island trade |
D | 170 | 12.20 | |
E | 135 | 9 | General cargo, Passengers and inter-island trade |
Trou Fanfaron I | 160 | 5.5 | Fish |
Trou Fanfaron II | 185 | 6 | Fish |
Froid des Mascareignes | 310 | 4.6-8.0 | Fish |
TERMINAL II
Quay | Length (m) | Dredged depth(m) | Type of traffic handled |
No. 1 | 123 | 13.50 | Fuel oil, Coal, Fertilizers, White oil |
No. 2 | 180 | 12.50 | Cement, Coal, Containers, General cargo |
No. 3 | 185 | 12.50 | Cement, General cargo and containers |
No. 4 | 185 | 12.20 | General cargo, Containers, LPG, Bitumen |
Bulk Sugar Terminal | 210 | 12.50 | Bulk sugar, Fuel oil |
Mauritius Freeport Development | 118 | 7.0 | Fish |
TERMINAL III
Quay | Length (m) | Dredged depth(m) | Type of traffic handled |
MCT 1 | 280 | 14.00 | Containers |
MCT 2 | 280 | 14.00 | Containers |
Other specifications:
- 5 Post-Panamax Gantry cranes
- 8 Rubber Tyred Gantries
- Turning circle of 450m diameter
- Storage area of 15 hectares
- 288 reefer points
- Annual throughput capacity: 550,000 TEUs.
- Container Scanner
OIL JETTY
- Alongside depth: - 16.00 m
CRUISE JETTY
- A dedicated cruise jetty located at Les Salines is operational since 2009. Statistics show that Cruise liners are showing a keen interest for the Indian Ocean destination.