Port Louis Harbour (PLH) is the main port of the Republic of Mauritius and the country’s primary maritime gateway. Handling nearly 99% of Mauritius’ external trade, the port manages approximately 7.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, making it a key driver of the national economy.
Strategically located at the crossroads of major maritime routes connecting Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe, PLH has established itself as a leading regional shipping centre and transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean. The world’s major liner companies operate regular scheduled services to Mauritius through dedicated African and Indian Ocean routes, supported by efficient feeder connections to neighbouring regional ports. In addition to PLH, the Mauritius Ports Authority is also responsible for Port Mathurin in Rodrigues, an autonomous island located approximately 600 kilometres north-east of Mauritius.
Port Louis Harbour (PLH) is the main port of the Republic of Mauritius and the country’s primary maritime gateway. Handling nearly 99% of Mauritius’ external trade, the port manages approximately 7.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, making it a key driver of the national economy.
Strategically located at the crossroads of major maritime routes connecting Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe, PLH has established itself as a leading regional shipping centre and transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean. The world’s major liner companies operate regular scheduled services to Mauritius through dedicated African and Indian Ocean routes, supported by efficient feeder connections to neighbouring regional ports. In addition to PLH, the Mauritius Ports Authority is also responsible for Port Mathurin in Rodrigues, an autonomous island located approximately 600 kilometres north-east of Mauritius.
In 2017, the Mauritius Container Terminal (MCT) underwent significant expansion and modernisation. The quay length was extended to 800 metres, enabling the terminal to accommodate two large container vessels of approximately 360 metres simultaneously or a combination of three vessels of different sizes. The navigation channel was also deepened from 14.5 metres to 16.5 metres, positioning PLH among the deepest ports in the South-West Indian Ocean. The harbour can now handle container vessels with drafts of up to 15.5 metres and capacities exceeding 16,000 TEUs.
Following these upgrades, the handling capacity of the MCT increased from 550,000 TEUs to approximately 1 million TEUs annually.
- Strategic geographical location
- Deep-water harbour facilities
- Reliable and efficient port services
- Fixed berthing window scheme
- ISO 14001 certification and Green Port strategy
- Modern port infrastructure and advanced container handling equipment
- Attractive transshipment service agreements
- Excellent air connectivity
- Close proximity to the Freeport Zone
- Comprehensive one-stop marine services
- Strong feeder operations capability
| Quay length | 800 m |
|---|---|
| Reefer points | 576 |
| Turning basin diameter | 450 m |
| Terminal area | 34.5 Ha |
| Container yard | 22.5 Ha |
| Max. depth at Chart Datum (m) | 16.5 m |
| Quay cranes | 2 Post Panamax and 3 Super Post Panamax |
| Yard equipment | 16 Rubber-Tyred Gantry cranes |
| Container berths | 3 |
| MCT Container Capacity | Approximately 1 million TEUs |
