Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa, relies on neighboring countries’ ports for its import and export activities. Despite its lack of direct access to the sea, Zimbabwe has access to several ports through neighboring countries, primarily via the ports of Mozambique and South Africa. These ports serve as crucial gateways for Zimbabwe’s international trade, facilitating the transportation of goods to and from the country. Below is a list of the most important ports accessible to Zimbabwe, listed by importance, along with their respective locations, latitude, and longitude coordinates.
List of Largest Ports Near to Zimbabwe
| Port Name | Country | Type of Cargo | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Beira | Mozambique | General Cargo | 200 |
| Port of Durban | South Africa | General Cargo | 180 |
| Port of Maputo | Mozambique | General Cargo | 150 |
| Port of Richards Bay | South Africa | Bulk Cargo | 120 |
| Port of Nacala | Mozambique | General Cargo | 100 |
| Port of Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | General Cargo | 90 |
| Port of Walvis Bay | Namibia | General Cargo | 80 |
| Port of Mombasa | Kenya | General Cargo | 70 |
| Port of Cape Town | South Africa | General Cargo | 60 |
| Port of Lobito | Angola | General Cargo | 50 |
| Port of Lüderitz | Namibia | General Cargo | 40 |
| Port of Matadi | Democratic Republic of the Congo | General Cargo | 30 |
| Port of Djibouti | Djibouti | General Cargo | 20 |
| Port of Walvis Bay | Namibia | Container | 10 |
| Port of Luanda | Angola | General Cargo | 5 |
Major Ports Serving Zimbabwe
1. Beira Port (Mozambique)
Beira Port is one of the primary ports used for trade by Zimbabwe. Located in Mozambique, it plays a significant role as a gateway for Zimbabwe’s imports and exports, especially for goods moving to and from the Indian Ocean. The port is highly valued due to its proximity to Zimbabwe and its ability to handle bulk and containerized cargo. With recent infrastructural upgrades, Beira has grown in importance, becoming a crucial link for Zimbabwean exports, particularly those related to agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
City Location: Beira, Mozambique
Latitude: 19.8413° S
Longitude: 34.8382° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Chimoio | 200 | N6 |
| Tete | 370 | N6 |
| Mutare | 515 | A4 |
| Harare | 620 | A3 |
| Maputo | 700 | N6 |
| Bulawayo | 1,150 | A5 |
| Masvingo | 1,000 | A6 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Beira Railway Station (Mozambique)
- Mutare Railway Station (Zimbabwe)
- Machipanda Railway Station (Mozambique)
- Dondo Railway Station (Mozambique)
- Chimoio Railway Station (Mozambique)
2. Durban Port (South Africa)
Durban is the largest and busiest port in South Africa and one of the most important ports for Zimbabwean trade. It handles a wide range of goods, including bulk commodities, containers, and vehicle shipments. Durban’s proximity to Zimbabwe makes it an essential hub for transportation of goods, especially agricultural products, coal, and mineral resources. The port has seen continuous growth and modernization, contributing significantly to the regional economy.
City Location: Durban, South Africa
Latitude: 29.8587° S
Longitude: 31.0218° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pietermaritzburg | 80 | N3 |
| Johannesburg | 600 | N3 |
| Pretoria | 660 | N3 |
| Bloemfontein | 1,000 | N5 |
| Polokwane | 1,150 | N1 |
| Masvingo | 1,500 | N1 |
| Harare | 1,800 | N1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Durban Railway Station (South Africa)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (South Africa)
- Richards Bay Railway Station (South Africa)
- Germiston Railway Station (South Africa)
- Vereeniging Railway Station (South Africa)
3. Maputo Port (Mozambique)
Maputo Port is located in the capital city of Mozambique and is one of the most vital ports for Zimbabwe. It offers access to the Indian Ocean and is well-connected to Zimbabwe via road and rail. The port serves a wide range of industries, including mining and agriculture, and is integral to Zimbabwe’s trade routes, especially for heavy cargo.
City Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Latitude: 25.9667° S
Longitude: 32.5897° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Matola | 20 | N4 |
| Chókwè | 120 | N4 |
| Tete | 410 | N4 |
| Beira | 700 | N4 |
| Mbabane | 800 | N3 |
| Bulawayo | 1,300 | N1 |
| Harare | 1,500 | N1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Maputo Railway Station (Mozambique)
- Matola Railway Station (Mozambique)
- Xai-Xai Railway Station (Mozambique)
- Beira Railway Station (Mozambique)
- Chókwè Railway Station (Mozambique)
4. Walvis Bay Port (Namibia)
Walvis Bay is a significant deepwater port located on Namibia’s coast. Although it is further from Zimbabwe compared to some other ports, it is still an important hub for exports and imports. Walvis Bay serves as a strategic alternative to the more congested South African ports and is considered a gateway for Zimbabwe to access markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
City Location: Walvis Bay, Namibia
Latitude: 22.9576° S
Longitude: 14.5053° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Swakopmund | 35 | B2 |
| Windhoek | 350 | B1 |
| Upington | 1,100 | N10 |
| Bulawayo | 1,300 | N1 |
| Johannesburg | 1,500 | N1 |
| Cape Town | 1,600 | N7 |
| Masvingo | 2,100 | N10 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Walvis Bay Railway Station (Namibia)
- Swakopmund Railway Station (Namibia)
- Windhoek Railway Station (Namibia)
- Upington Railway Station (South Africa)
- Keetmanshoop Railway Station (Namibia)
5. Mombasa Port (Kenya)
Mombasa Port is one of the busiest ports in East Africa and serves as a vital point of trade for Zimbabwe. Its strategic location on the Indian Ocean makes it an important hub for cargo flowing into and out of southern Africa. Mombasa is a key entry point for goods such as machinery, agricultural products, and petroleum.
City Location: Mombasa, Kenya
Latitude: 4.0435° S
Longitude: 39.6682° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 480 | A109 |
| Kisumu | 700 | A1 |
| Dar es Salaam | 500 | A7 |
| Mbeya | 1,000 | A7 |
| Kampala | 1,300 | A104 |
| Bulawayo | 1,800 | A109 |
| Harare | 2,000 | A109 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Mombasa Railway Station (Kenya)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Kenya)
- Kisumu Railway Station (Kenya)
- Dar es Salaam Railway Station (Tanzania)
- Mbeya Railway Station (Tanzania)
6. Port Louis Port (Mauritius)
Mauritius, though geographically distant from Zimbabwe, serves as a major transshipment hub for trade in the Indian Ocean region. The Port Louis Port facilitates a significant volume of cargo, including industrial goods, and has become an increasingly important part of Zimbabwe’s trade network.
City Location: Port Louis, Mauritius
Latitude: 20.1609° S
Longitude: 57.5012° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Curepipe | 20 | A2 |
| Quatre Bornes | 25 | A3 |
| Beau Bassin | 20 | A3 |
| Mahebourg | 45 | A1 |
| Flic-en-Flac | 50 | A5 |
| Vacoas | 22 | A4 |
| Rose Hill | 15 | A4 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Port Louis Railway Station (Mauritius)
- Curepipe Railway Station (Mauritius)
- Quatre Bornes Railway Station (Mauritius)
- Mahebourg Railway Station (Mauritius)
- Vacoas Railway Station (Mauritius)
7. Dar es Salaam Port (Tanzania)
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and most important port, serving as a key trade link for Zimbabwe and other landlocked countries in southern and central Africa. It handles a wide variety of goods, including minerals, food products, and manufactured goods, and is a critical gateway for trade from Asia and the Middle East.
City Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Latitude: 6.7924° S
Longitude: 39.2083° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Morogoro | 200 | A7 |
| Mbeya | 500 | A7 |
| Nairobi | 800 | A104 |
| Zanzibar | 75 | Ferry/Boat |
| Tanga | 300 | A14 |
| Dodoma | 450 | A7 |
| Harare | 2,200 | A109 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Dar es Salaam Railway Station (Tanzania)
- Morogoro Railway Station (Tanzania)
- Mbeya Railway Station (Tanzania)
- Tanga Railway Station (Tanzania)
- Dodoma Railway Station (Tanzania)
8. Lobito Port (Angola)
Lobito Port, located on the Atlantic coast of Angola, serves as a key terminal for cargo coming from southern Africa and further afield. Although it is distant, it is connected to Zimbabwe by rail, which makes it an alternative route for goods, especially bulk commodities such as copper and minerals.
City Location: Lobito, Angola
Latitude: 12.3642° S
Longitude: 13.5460° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Benguela | 40 | A3 |
| Luanda | 500 | A1 |
| Huambo | 600 | A1 |
| Lubango | 800 | A1 |
| Namibe | 800 | A1 |
| Harare | 2,200 | N1 |
| Johannesburg | 2,300 | N1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Lobito Railway Station (Angola)
- Benguela Railway Station (Angola)
- Luanda Railway Station (Angola)
- Lubango Railway Station (Angola)
- Huambo Railway Station (Angola)
Despite being a landlocked country, Zimbabwe benefits from its geographical proximity to several ports in neighboring countries. These ports play a crucial role in facilitating Zimbabwe’s international trade, supporting its economy, and ensuring access to essential goods and commodities. Efforts to improve transport infrastructure and enhance trade facilitation mechanisms will further strengthen Zimbabwe’s connectivity and competitiveness in the global market.