A Guide to Freight Shipping in Africa: Shipping Ports & Airports

A Guide to Freight Shipping in Africa: Shipping Ports & Airports

Africa is an important continent for global shipping and freight forwarding. It has a growing consumer market with an abundance of natural resources. Africa’s strategic location between Europe, Asia, and the USA makes it desirably situated, with many major shipping routes such as the Suez Canal, which connects Europe and Asia, and the Cape of Good Hope, which connects Asia and the USA.

Africa also has many rich natural resources, such as oil, gas, minerals, and agricultural products. These resources are in high demand worldwide, and their transportation requires efficient shipping and freight forwarding services.

 

Ports in North Africa

Egypt

Ports: Alexandria/Port Said

Airports: Cairo

Port Alexandria in Egypt is a major seaport located on the Mediterranean coast, serving as a crucial gateway for international trade and facilitating the import and export of goods to and from Egypt.

Cairo International Airport is an important hub for air freight in the region, handling a significant volume of cargo shipments.

Libya

Ports: Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Al Khums

Airports: Tripoli

Tripoli is Libya’s most significant shipping port, located on the western coast of the country. It serves as a major gateway for trade and plays a vital role in the country’s economy.

Tunisia:

Ports: Radès, Sfax

Airport: Tunis

The Port of Radès is situated near the capital of Tunis. It has modern infrastructure, deep-water berths, and advanced facilities, making it a major gateway for imports and exports.

Algeria

Ports: Alger

Airport: Algiers

The Port of Algiers and Algiers Airport are situated in the capital city of Algiers. The port is the largest and busiest port in the country.

Morocco

Ports: Nador, Tanger Med, Kenitra, Casablanca

Airports: Casablanca, Marrakesh

Casablanca Airport, also known as Mohammed V International Airport, serves as a key hub for air freight in Morocco, with extensive cargo facilities and infrastructure.

Shipping Freight in Maputo, Mozambique

 

Ports in East Africa

Mozambique

Ports: Maputo, Beira

Airport: Maputo

Mozambique’s Port of Maputo is located in the capital city, playing a crucial role in facilitating maritime transportation as well as supporting economic development. Beira Port is significant in providing import/export opportunities for landlocked countries in the region, such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia.

Tanzania

Port: Dar es Salaam

Airport: Dar es Salaam

Both the Port of Dar es Salaam and the Julius Nyerere International Airport are located in the capital city of Dar es Salaam.

Kenya

Port: Mombasa, Kisumu

Airport: Nairobi

Kenya has several important ports along its coastline, including the Port of Mombasa – the country’s largest and busiest port. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport located in Nairobi serves air freight import/export to the country.

Somalia

Port: Mogadishu, Berbera

Airport: Mogadishu

Located in the capital city of Mogadishu, the Port of Mogadishu is the largest and most important seaport in Somalia.

Sudan

Port: Sudan

Airport: Khartoum

Port Sudan along the Red Sea coastline serves as the primary gateway for maritime trade in the country. Khartoum International Airport is the major aviation hub for the Sudan, with significant air freight operations taking place here.

Cape Town Airport: Air Freight

Ports in South Africa

Ports: Cape Town, East London, Durban, Port Elizabeth

Airports: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth

South Africa is home to several significant ports along its extensive coastline. The Port of Cape Town serves as a significant commercial gateway for the Western Cape province, handling various types of cargo, including containers, vehicles, and general goods. Port Elizabeth is an important port on the southern coast, while Port of Richards Bay serves the east coast of the country and is key for bulk commodities. The largest port is the Port of Durban, which deals with a diverse range of cargo, including containers, bulk commodities, and automotive goods.

Sea Freight: Cape Town South Africa

Ports in West Africa

Senegal

Ports: Dakar, Kaolack, Ziguinchor

Airport: Dakar

The Port of Dakar handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, petroleum products, general goods, and bulk commodities.

Guinea- Bissau

Ports: Bissau, Bolama

Airport: Bissau-Bissalanca Airport

The Port of Bissau is the largest port, situated in the capital city of Bissau. Port Bolama handles agricultural products, fishing resources, and general cargo.

Guinea

Port: Conakry, Kamsar, Boké

Airport: Conakry International Airport, Ahmed Sekou

The Port of Conakry handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, petroleum products, minerals, and general goods.

Ghana

Ports: Tema, Takoradi

Airport: Accra

The Port of Tema is the primary seaport for the country, handling a wide range of cargo, including containers, general goods, and bulk commodities. Takoradi Port serves the western region of the country and is a major hub for the export of minerals, particularly oil and gas.

Togo

Port: Lomé, Kpémé

Airport: Lomé

Lomé Port is known for its efficiency, modern facilities, and strategic location, making it a vital trade hub for Togo and neighbouring landlocked countries.

Nigeria

Ports: Lagos, Harcourt

Airport: Abuja

The Port of Lagos is known as Lagos Port Complex and is the largest port in the country, situated in Apapa. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is the primary airport serving the capital city of Nigeria.

Gabon

Ports: Librevile, Gentil, Owendo

Airport: Libreville

Situated in the capital city of Libreville, the Libreville Port is a smaller port that mainly handles coastal shipping and supports domestic trade within Gabon. The country’s largest port is the Port of Owendo.

Angola

Port: Luanda, Lobito

Airport: Luanda

Luanda Port is the primary seaport for Angola, while Lobito Port is strategically positioned on the Atlantic coast, serving as a key trade gateway for the central and southern regions of the country.

Namibia

Port: Walvis Bay

Airport: Windhoek

Situated in the coastal town of Walvis Bay, this port handles various types of cargo, including containers, vehicles, bulk commodities, and fishing products.

Maputo International Airport

Africa Freight with KG Logistics

KG Logistics offer a comprehensive freight forwarding service to help clients import and export from Africa.

Our sea and air freight services include part load (LCL), full load (FCL) and all air freight for commercial and general public clients.

KG Logistics also provide a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) service. This is a method of loading and unloading the cargo in which it is driven onto and off the transportation using a ramp.

We can arrange ex-works and FOB shipments depending on our client’s requirements. Our specialised breakbulk team can arrange ex-works and FOB shipments for all larger out-of-gauge cargo. We can arrange any type of air freight shipping on a door-to-door basis, whether your shipment is of utmost urgency or it requires a full charter of an aircraft.

Speak to our experts today at 01634 540109 to find out how KG Logistics can help you with your freight forwarding needs.