Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, relies on neighboring countries’ ports for its import and export activities. While Zambia does not have direct access to the sea, it has access to several ports through neighboring countries, primarily via the ports of Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa. These ports serve as crucial gateways for Zambia’s international trade, facilitating the transportation of goods to and from the country. Below is a list of the most important ports accessible to Zambia, listed by importance, along with their respective locations, latitude, and longitude coordinates.
List of Largest Ports Near to Zambia
| Port Name | Country | Type of Cargo | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Dar es Salaam | Tanzania | General Cargo | 200 |
| Port of Beira | Mozambique | General Cargo | 180 |
| Port of Nacala | Mozambique | General Cargo | 150 |
| Port of Lobito | Angola | General Cargo | 120 |
| Port of Mombasa | Kenya | General Cargo | 100 |
| Port of Durban | South Africa | General Cargo | 90 |
| Port of Walvis Bay | Namibia | General Cargo | 80 |
| Port of Richards Bay | South Africa | Bulk Cargo | 70 |
| Port of Maputo | Mozambique | General Cargo | 60 |
| Port of Lüderitz | Namibia | General Cargo | 50 |
| Port of Cape Town | South Africa | 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 of Zambia
1. Port of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
The Port of Dar es Salaam is the most significant port for Zambia, located on the eastern coast of Tanzania along the Indian Ocean. It serves as the main transit port for Zambian exports and imports, especially those related to mining and agriculture. The port is equipped to handle bulk cargo, containers, and petroleum products. Dar es Salaam is strategically positioned for Zambia’s trade with global markets, and its extensive rail and road networks provide direct access to Zambia and other neighboring landlocked countries.
City Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Latitude: 6.7924° S
Longitude: 39.2083° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Dodoma | 475 | A7 Highway |
| Arusha | 515 | A104 Highway |
| Nairobi | 600 | A104 Highway |
| Kampala | 1,100 | A104 Highway |
| Morogoro | 190 | A7 Highway |
| Tanga | 230 | B1 Highway |
| Mbeya | 480 | A104 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Dar es Salaam Railway Station (Dar es Salaam)
- Dodoma Railway Station (Dodoma)
- Arusha Railway Station (Arusha)
- Nairobi Railway Station (Nairobi)
- Morogoro Railway Station (Morogoro)
2. Port of Beira (Mozambique)
The Port of Beira, located in Mozambique, is another crucial port for Zambia’s trade. Beira is strategically positioned on the Indian Ocean and serves as an important hub for exports of Zambian minerals and agricultural products. The port has multiple terminals handling general cargo, bulk cargo, and containers. Beira’s proximity to Zambia’s central region makes it a preferred alternative for transporting goods to and from Zambia, especially in the southern and central parts of the country.
City Location: Beira, Mozambique
Latitude: 19.8422° S
Longitude: 34.8387° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Maputo | 500 | N4 Highway |
| Harare | 650 | A5 Highway |
| Blantyre | 450 | A1 Highway |
| Lusaka | 1,250 | A1 Highway |
| Mutare | 560 | A2 Highway |
| Lilongwe | 550 | A1 Highway |
| Chimoio | 200 | N6 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Beira Railway Station (Beira)
- Maputo Railway Station (Maputo)
- Harare Railway Station (Harare)
- Lusaka Railway Station (Lusaka)
- Blantyre Railway Station (Blantyre)
3. Port of Durban (South Africa)
The Port of Durban is one of the largest and busiest ports in Africa, located on the east coast of South Africa. While it is farther from Zambia compared to ports in Tanzania and Mozambique, Durban plays a significant role in Zambia’s trade. It handles a wide range of goods, including coal, iron ore, containers, and bulk cargo. Durban’s advanced infrastructure, including its deep-water port and its link to major highways and railways, makes it a strategic gateway for Zambian exports and imports.
City Location: Durban, South Africa
Latitude: 29.8587° S
Longitude: 31.0218° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pietermaritzburg | 85 | N3 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 600 | N3 Highway |
| Pretoria | 620 | N1 Highway |
| Cape Town | 1,600 | N2 Highway |
| Port Elizabeth | 900 | N2 Highway |
| Bloemfontein | 1,000 | N1 Highway |
| East London | 1,000 | N2 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (Pietermaritzburg)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Pretoria Railway Station (Pretoria)
- Port Elizabeth Railway Station (Port Elizabeth)
4. Port of Walvis Bay (Namibia)
The Port of Walvis Bay is a key seaport for southern Africa, located on Namibia’s Atlantic coast. It is an important transit port for Zambia, especially for goods moving through the southern route. Walvis Bay handles containerized cargo, general goods, and bulk commodities, making it a vital alternative to the Indian Ocean ports. It is also known for its efficient infrastructure and services, which support the region’s supply chains.
City Location: Walvis Bay, Namibia
Latitude: 22.9576° S
Longitude: 14.5050° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Windhoek | 350 | B1 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 1,500 | B1 Highway |
| Cape Town | 1,600 | N1 Highway |
| Gaborone | 1,000 | B2 Highway |
| Lusaka | 1,400 | B6 Highway |
| Swakopmund | 35 | B2 Highway |
| Okahandja | 300 | B1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Walvis Bay Railway Station (Walvis Bay)
- Windhoek Railway Station (Windhoek)
- Swakopmund Railway Station (Swakopmund)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Gaborone Railway Station (Gaborone)
5. Port of Maputo (Mozambique)
The Port of Maputo is another important port for Zambia, located in Mozambique, just to the south of the Port of Beira. It is a major gateway for Zambia’s exports and imports, particularly for goods coming from the southern part of Zambia. Maputo handles a variety of cargo, including coal, containers, and general cargo. It is a strategic port for landlocked countries in southern Africa, providing direct access to global shipping routes.
City Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Latitude: 25.9653° S
Longitude: 32.5834° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pretoria | 500 | N4 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 560 | N4 Highway |
| Durban | 550 | N3 Highway |
| Mbabane | 340 | N1 Highway |
| Gaborone | 550 | A1 Highway |
| Lusaka | 1,150 | A1 Highway |
| Harare | 1,100 | A5 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Maputo Railway Station (Maputo)
- Pretoria Railway Station (Pretoria)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Lusaka Railway Station (Lusaka)
6. Port of Pointe-Noire (Republic of the Congo)
The Port of Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo serves as an alternative port for Zambia, especially for the movement of goods to and from the western regions of the country. It is a major oil export hub and handles bulk cargo, containers, and petroleum products. The port’s infrastructure supports Zambian exports of raw materials, especially minerals, and industrial products.
City Location: Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo
Latitude: 4.7833° S
Longitude: 11.8594° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Brazzaville | 500 | National Road 1 |
| Kinshasa | 550 | National Road 1 |
| Libreville | 700 | National Road 1 |
| Gabon | 600 | National Road 1 |
| Luanda | 1,000 | National Road 1 |
| Malabo | 1,500 | National Road 1 |
| Ndola | 1,200 | National Road 1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Pointe-Noire Railway Station (Pointe-Noire)
- Brazzaville Railway Station (Brazzaville)
- Kinshasa Railway Station (Kinshasa)
- Libreville Railway Station (Libreville)
- Luanda Railway Station (Luanda)