Comoros’s freight transport industry

Comoros’s freight transport industry

The freight transport industry in Comoros plays a vital role in supporting the archipelago’s economy, especially in connecting its three main islands—Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan—and linking them to international trade routes. As a developing island nation located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique, Comoros faces unique logistical challenges due to its geography, limited infrastructure, and dependence on imports.

Overview

Comoros’s freight transport industry encompasses maritime, air, and limited road transport systems. Maritime freight is the backbone of trade, given the country’s reliance on imports for most essential goods including food, fuel, and construction materials. The Port of Moroni (on Grande Comore) and the Port of Mutsamudu (on Anjouan) are the main maritime gateways, handling the majority of cargo movement. These ports facilitate the import and export of goods and serve as critical nodes in the regional trade network with countries like Madagascar, Mauritius, and Tanzania.

Maritime Transport

Maritime freight dominates Comoros’s transport sector. However, the port facilities face several issues such as aging infrastructure, congestion, and limited berthing capacity. These limitations affect turnaround times and freight costs, thereby impacting the overall efficiency of trade. Mutsamudu Port is considered the most advanced among the islands and is capable of handling containerized cargo, which is essential for modern freight logistics.

Small inter-island vessels also transport goods between the islands. These vessels are vital for domestic freight distribution, especially for agricultural products, construction materials, and manufactured goods.

Air Freight

Air freight plays a secondary but strategic role in transporting high-value or perishable goods. Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport near Moroni and Ouani Airport in Anjouan serve as the main air freight hubs. However, limited cargo capacity and high costs restrict the use of air transport to urgent or niche shipments.

Road Transport

Within each island, road transport is used to distribute freight from ports and airports to towns and villages. The road networks are often in poor condition, particularly in rural areas, and are vulnerable to climate-related damage such as floods and landslides. Despite these limitations, road freight remains essential for the final delivery of goods across the islands.

Challenges

The Comorian freight transport industry faces multiple challenges:

Inadequate infrastructure: Poor port and road conditions hinder efficiency.

High shipping costs: Due to low economies of scale and inefficient logistics.

Limited investment: Few private and public investments in logistics and transport.

Regulatory barriers: Bureaucratic customs processes slow down freight clearance.

Opportunities

Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for growth and modernization. Investments in port upgrades, better logistics management, and regional trade integration could improve efficiency. Additionally, donor-supported initiatives and regional partnerships may help build capacity and infrastructure.

Conclusion

The freight transport industry in Comoros is a critical enabler of economic activity but requires substantial improvements in infrastructure, efficiency, and regulatory frameworks. With strategic investment and regional cooperation, Comoros could enhance its freight capabilities and better connect to global markets.