Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE MZ MPM

Maputo, Mozambique

Mozambique · 25.96° S, 32.54° E · Also listed as Lourenco Marques

The World Port Index classes Maputo as a canal or lake port reached from the Indian Ocean. It records a channel depth of 13.3 m and a cargo pier depth of 15.4 m. Norfolk is 13,310 km away in a straight line.

13,310 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
13.3 m
Cargo pier depth
15.4 m
Max vessel draft
12.9 m
From Norfolk
13,310 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
Beira720 km away

Depths and vessel limits

Of the 3 ports in Mozambique with guides here, Maputo records the deepest cargo pier in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel draft of 12.9 m.

Channel depth
13.3 m
Anchorage depth
15.5 m
Cargo pier depth
15.4 m
Oil terminal depth
9.4 m
Tidal range
4 m
Entrance width
120 m
Maximum vessel draft
12.9 m

As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.

Facilities on record

Arrival and entry

Maputo is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Pilotage available
Yes
Pilotage advisable
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Shelter afforded
Excellent
Entrance restricted by tide
No
Entrance restricted by swell
No
Entrance restricted by ice
No
Overhead limits
Yes

Cargo handling

Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.

Container
Yes
Ro-ro
Yes
Breakbulk
Yes
Solid bulk
Yes
Liquid bulk
Yes
Wharves
Yes
Fixed cranes
Yes
Mobile cranes
Yes
Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
Yes
Lifts up to 24 tons
Yes
Longshore labor
Yes
Railway
Small

Services and supplies

Repair capability is rated moderate.

Repairs
Moderate
Dry dock
Small
Electrical repair
Yes
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
Yes
Potable water
Yes
Provisions
Yes
Deck supplies
Yes
Engine supplies
Yes
Shore electricity
Yes
Medical facilities
Yes
Garbage disposal
Yes
Dirty ballast disposal
No
Airport
Yes

US trade with Mozambique

US exports, 2025
$133.6MLed by mineral fuels and oils
US imports, 2025
$162.4MLed by ores, slag and ash

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for Mozambique

Other ports in Mozambique

The nearest is Beira, 720 km away in a straight line.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.