ET Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
UN/LOCODEs associated with Ethiopia begin with the country prefix ET, followed by a three-letter location identifier. Examples in the indexed dataset include ETADD for Addis Ababa and ETDIR for Dire Dawa.
Seaports in Ethiopia: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Ethiopia has 11 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, with inland logistics hubs and cross-border corridors playing a central role because Ethiopia is landlocked and relies heavily on regional gateway ports.
Explore Ethiopia port codes, inland freight terminals, regional cargo corridors and indicative shipping options.
Ethiopia Port Overview
Ethiopia has no coastline. Its international sea freight is generally routed through neighboring maritime gateways, while the locations listed below represent inland logistics nodes, dry-port functions and regional port references indexed for freight planning.
11
Ethiopia ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
—
National freight volume, 2025; year-on-year change not published in a comparable official series
Ethiopian transport statistics · 2025
—
Container throughput, 2025; year-on-year change not published for Ethiopia as a coastal-port total
Ethiopian transport statistics · 2025
—
National commercial seaport berth count, 2025; not applicable to this landlocked country
National transport framework · 2025
How many seaports does Ethiopia have?
Ethiopia has 11 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight, including inland logistics locations and regional port references; the database count is not a count of coastal seaports within Ethiopia.
Which locations are most relevant to Ethiopia freight planning?
Dire Dawa (ETDIR), Addis Ababa (ETADD), Modjo (ETMDP and ETMOD) and Komboleha (ETKOM) are among the most relevant indexed inland logistics locations for Ethiopia cargo planning.
Which areas handle Ethiopia's main freight flows?
The Addis Ababa–Modjo corridor and eastern logistics network around Dire Dawa (ETDIR) are important freight areas, while Massawa (ETMAS) and Assab (ETASB) are regional maritime references rather than Ethiopian coastal ports.
Top Ethiopia Ports and Freight Terminals
This table is an indexed logistics ranking view, not a global coastal-port league table. Ethiopia has no national seaport throughput series comparable with major maritime countries, so rank, throughput and year-on-year fields are shown as unavailable where no reliable public figure exists.
Indexed locations ranked by practical freight relevance in the Ecer Freight sample
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Dire Dawa | ETDIR | — | — | Eastern Ethiopia |
| — | Massawa | ETMAS | — | — | Regional Red Sea reference |
| — | Addis Ababa | ETADD | — | — | Central Ethiopia |
| — | Komboleha | ETKOM | — | — | Northern logistics corridor |
| — | Mekelle | ETMEK | — | — | Northern Ethiopia |
| — | Semera | ETSEM | — | — | Afar and eastern corridor |
| — | Assab | ETASB | — | — | Regional Red Sea reference |
| — | Jimma | ETJIM | — | — | Southwestern Ethiopia |
Ethiopia Port and Logistics Regions
Central Addis Ababa–Modjo Corridor
The central corridor connects the capital with inland freight and dry-port functions. It is commonly used for container coordination, customs processing and onward distribution.
Indexed locations in the central logistics cluster
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addis Ababa | ETADD | Addis Ababa / — | Capital-city cargo consolidation and distribution |
| Modjo | ETMDP | Modjo / — | Inland container, customs and rail-linked logistics |
| Modjo | ETMOD | Modjo / — | Dry-port and freight forwarding operations |
Eastern Ethiopia and Afar Corridor
Eastern routes support access toward cross-border gateways and the Red Sea region. Transit routing, border conditions and terminal availability should be confirmed for each shipment.
Indexed locations in the eastern and Afar freight network
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dire Dawa | ETDIR | Dire Dawa / — | Eastern inland freight and regional distribution |
| Semera | ETSEM | Semera / — | Afar corridor cargo and cross-border logistics |
| Assab | ETASB | Dire Dawa / — | Regional maritime reference in the indexed dataset |
| Massawa | ETMAS | — / — | Regional Red Sea reference in the indexed dataset |
Northern and Southwestern Production Areas
Northern and southwestern locations serve manufacturing, agricultural and regional distribution needs. They are inland freight nodes rather than coastal container ports.
Indexed northern and southwestern locations
Ethiopia UN/LOCODE and Port Code Guide
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
A city-level code can identify a broader inland logistics location, while separate records may represent different terminal or operational references. Modjo appears as both ETMDP and ETMOD in the indexed sample.
How to Verify a Code
Freight documents should be checked against the latest carrier, customs and routing instructions. Compare the location with the UNECE reference framework and search the Ecer Freight port directory before booking.
Shipping from Ethiopia: Main Trade Lanes
Because Ethiopia is landlocked, sea freight normally combines inland haulage with a neighboring maritime gateway. Transit times are indicative only and depend on border procedures, vessel schedules, equipment and final delivery location.
Ethiopia to Djibouti Gateway
The principal regional routing for many Ethiopia import and export containers, combining inland collection with ocean services via Djibouti.
Ethiopia to Red Sea Regional Gateways
Regional planning may reference Red Sea gateways such as Massawa or Assab, but routing feasibility and current operating status must be confirmed before shipment.
Ethiopia to Asia
Asian imports generally require inland movement to a regional gateway, followed by a mainline or feeder ocean service and final inland delivery.
Ethiopia to Europe and North America
Long-haul shipments typically use a regional gateway with onward services to Europe or North America, requiring coordinated inland and ocean documentation.
Data Sources and Methodology
The page separates Ecer Freight indexed coverage from official national statistics and from global seaport league-table data. Ethiopia's landlocked status means that inland terminals and regional maritime references should not be interpreted as domestic coastal ports.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database: 11 Ethiopia ports and terminals indexed in the first-party database, with the page snapshot reviewed in Nov 2026. View the port directory.
- UNECE: UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework. UNECE official website.
- Ethiopian transport authorities: National transport and logistics context, including the distinction between inland freight nodes and maritime gateways. Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics.
- National statistics framework: Official statistical context for freight and transport indicators; comparable 2025 national seaport TEU totals are not published for this landlocked country. Ethiopian Statistical Service.
- Regional maritime reference: Navigation and port information should be confirmed against current official or carrier sources before booking. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Maritime Safety Information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethiopia Ports
How many seaports does Ethiopia have?
Ethiopia has 11 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight. This first-party count includes inland logistics locations and regional port references; Ethiopia itself is landlocked and has no coastline.
What is the main port route for Ethiopia sea freight?
Many Ethiopia shipments use inland corridors to Djibouti before connecting to ocean services. Addis Ababa, Modjo and Dire Dawa (ETDIR) are relevant indexed planning locations, subject to the cargo's final origin and destination.
Does Ethiopia have a coastal seaport?
No. Ethiopia is landlocked. Massawa (ETMAS) and Assab (ETASB) are present as regional references in the indexed sample, but they should not be described as current Ethiopian coastal ports without operational and jurisdictional confirmation.
What are the main Ethiopia port codes?
Examples include ETADD for Addis Ababa, ETDIR for Dire Dawa, ETMDP and ETMOD for Modjo, ETMEK for Mekelle and ETSEM for Semera. Codes should be checked against current booking and customs instructions.
Which regions are important for Ethiopia cargo?
The central Addis Ababa–Modjo corridor and eastern network around Dire Dawa are important freight areas. Mekelle, Komboleha and Semera support northern and eastern regional planning, while Jimma represents a southwestern logistics location.
How current is the Ethiopia port data?
The Ecer Freight database snapshot is dated Nov 2026, while the most recent complete statistical year referenced is 2025. Operational schedules, border conditions and equipment availability remain subject to confirmation.
How can a shipper request an Ethiopia sea-freight quote?
Provide the cargo type, dimensions, weight, origin, final destination, preferred gateway, Incoterms and required delivery date. A freight quotation should cover both the inland leg and the ocean leg where applicable.
Editorial note: This Ethiopia page combines the Ecer Freight first-party port index with publicly available transport and code-reference context. Indexed coverage is reviewed against the database snapshot, while official statistics and operational routing details are updated as authoritative information becomes available.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Ethiopia: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact