Nacala

The port of Nacala is Mozambique's most northerly port situated at Longitude 40º 40' E and 14º 27' S, on the south side of Baia deBengo, a large and sheltered bay 60m deep and 800m wide at the entrance.

The Nacala harbour serves its own hinterland and landlocked Malawi to the west, which is served by a 914km railway. Nacala port and railway is concessioned to a consortium headed by the American RDC group and including Manica (SA), Edlow Resources (Bermuda), Tertir (Portugal) and CFM (Mozambique).
 
Typical cargoes handled include containers, agricultural products, tobacco, timber, coal, cement, petrol and grains.

Port Limitations:

Because of it natural deep water and sheltered position Nacala has no restrictions on ship movement or size. Pilotage is however compulsory, ships being boarded 2 n.miles 237º from the Nacala lighthouse, unless strong winds are blowing in which case pilots then board within the bay.

Marine Craft:

The port has a single tug of 1,150 horsepower and a pilot boat.

Port Volumes:

Not known, but has a capacity of about 1 million tonnes pa. Nacala currently handles approximately 200 ships annually.

Port facilities:

Nacala has four general cargo berths and one for containers. Bunkering is available by road tanker with a pipeline at the general cargo berths.