PF Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
A French Polynesia UN/LOCODE begins with PF and is followed by a three-character location identifier. Examples in the indexed dataset include PFPPT for Papeete and PFVAI for Vaitape.
Seaports in French Polynesia: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
French Polynesia has 8 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, serving a remote Pacific market where maritime transport connects Tahiti and the outer islands with regional and international supply chains.
Review UN/LOCODE references, regional port coverage and indicative trade lanes for French Polynesia.
French Polynesia Port Overview
French Polynesia is an island territory in the South Pacific. Papeete is the principal commercial gateway, while smaller facilities support inter-island distribution, cruise activity, fisheries, local industry and essential supplies. The indexed-port count below is an Ecer Freight database measure and should not be interpreted as a national port census.
8
French Polynesia ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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Consolidated commercial cargo volume (tonnes), 2025; YoY not publicly consolidated
ISPF / official public statistics review · 2025
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National container throughput (TEU), 2025; YoY not publicly consolidated
Port and maritime statistics review · 2025
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Commercial berth total, 2025; YoY not publicly consolidated
French Polynesian maritime information review · 2025
How many seaports does French Polynesia have?
French Polynesia has 8 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nov 2026 database snapshot.
What is the main commercial port in French Polynesia?
Papeete is generally the principal commercial gateway in French Polynesia. The indexed references include PFPPT and PFPAP, reflecting port and facility-level records associated with Papeete.
Which areas handle French Polynesia's main maritime activity?
Tahiti and the Society Islands form the main logistics focus, led by Papeete and Vaitape (PFVAI), while Makatea (PFMAK), Hao Island (PFHAO) and Nuku Hiva (PFNHV) support outer-island and specialized traffic.
Top Ports in French Polynesia
This table reflects the most active French Polynesia records in the Ecer Freight sample, rather than a global container-port league table. Comparable 2025 TEU throughput and year-on-year figures are not publicly consolidated for these individual island facilities.
Indexed port and terminal records ordered by observed business activity in the Ecer Freight database
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Papeete | PFPPT | — | — | Tahiti |
| — | Papeete | PFPAP | — | — | Tahiti |
| — | Makatea | PFMAK | — | — | Tuamotu Islands |
| — | Bora Bora | PFBOB | — | — | Society Islands |
| — | Vaitape | PFVAI | — | — | Society Islands |
| — | Hao Island | PFHAO | — | — | Tuamotu Islands |
| — | Mururoa | PFMUR | — | — | Tuamotu Archipelago |
| — | Nuku Hiva | PFNHV | — | — | Marquesas Islands |
French Polynesia Port Regions
The following clusters group the indexed records by island geography and typical logistics role. Local operating conditions, berth access and sailing schedules are subject to confirmation.
Tahiti
Papeete is the core maritime and distribution center for Tahiti and the wider territory.
Indexed ports in Tahiti
Society Islands
The Society Islands support tourism, local consumption and inter-island supply movements.
Indexed ports in the Society Islands
Tuamotu and Outer Islands
Outer-island ports generally serve specialized activities, local communities and inter-island replenishment rather than large-scale container transshipment.
Indexed ports in the Tuamotu and outer-island group
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makatea | PFMAK | Makatea / — | Local and specialized island cargo |
| Hao Island | PFHAO | Hao Island / — | Inter-island supply and community cargo |
| Mururoa | PFMUR | Mururoa / — | Specialized and restricted-access maritime activity |
| Nuku Hiva | PFNHV | Nuku Hiva / — | Marquesas supply, general cargo and local distribution |
French Polynesia UN/LOCODEs
UN/LOCODE references help carriers, forwarders and customs teams identify transport locations. The French Polynesia prefix is PF.
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
A location code may identify a city, port area, terminal or other transport facility. The two Papeete records, PFPPT and PFPAP, should therefore be checked against the carrier booking, bill of lading and local handling instructions.
How to Verify a Port Code
Cross-check the code against the UNECE UN/LOCODE framework and compare it with the Ecer Freight port directory before preparing shipping documents.
Shipping from French Polynesia: Main Trade Lanes
French Polynesia relies on scheduled and feeder-style maritime services linking Tahiti with Pacific gateways and supplying outer islands. Transit times are indicative only and depend on sailing schedules, transshipment, weather, equipment and documentation.
French Polynesia to Oceania
Regional services connect Papeete with Pacific destinations for general cargo, food products, consumer goods and project shipments.
French Polynesia to East Asia
East Asian connections are commonly handled through transshipment networks for manufactured goods, machinery, retail cargo and equipment.
French Polynesia to North America
North American trade lanes support consumer goods, commercial supplies and project cargo moving through Pacific service networks.
Inter-Island Supply Services
Domestic and inter-island movements distribute food, fuel, construction materials and essential supplies from Tahiti to outer islands.
Data Sources and Methodology
Port coverage, code presentation and trade guidance are separated from official throughput statistics. Where no reliable consolidated 2025 public figure was identified, the page uses an em dash rather than an unsupported estimate.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 8 French Polynesia port and terminal records, database snapshot Nov 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework.
- Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française — official statistical context reviewed for 2025 maritime and economic indicators.
- Government of French Polynesia — public administrative and maritime context.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — nautical and place-name cross-checking reference.
French Polynesia Port FAQ
How many seaports does French Polynesia have?
French Polynesia has 8 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot.
What is the busiest port in French Polynesia?
Papeete is generally regarded as the principal and busiest commercial maritime gateway in French Polynesia. Ecer Freight records it under PFPPT and PFPAP.
What is the UN/LOCODE prefix for French Polynesia?
The UN/LOCODE prefix for French Polynesia is PF. Examples include PFPPT for Papeete, PFMAK for Makatea and PFNHV for Nuku Hiva.
Which regions are covered by the indexed French Polynesia ports?
The indexed records cover Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Tuamotu and outer-island group, and the Marquesas Islands, including Papeete, Bora Bora, Vaitape, Hao Island and Nuku Hiva.
Are 2025 French Polynesia port throughput figures available?
A reliable consolidated public 2025 TEU series was not identified for the individual indexed facilities. Shipping schedules, carrier data and local port information should be checked for shipment-specific confirmation.
How can a shipment from French Polynesia be quoted?
A freight quote should include the exact PF location code, cargo description, volume, weight, equipment type, origin or destination, and required sailing window. FCL and LCL rate tools are available through the relevant Ecer Freight quote pages.
Should PFPPT and PFPAP be treated as the same port?
Both records are associated with Papeete in the Ecer Freight sample, but a booking party should confirm the exact facility or terminal reference with the carrier and local agent before documentation is finalized.
Editorial note: This French Polynesia port guide combines Ecer Freight first-party port-code coverage with publicly available institutional references. Indexed port records and page content are reviewed quarterly, while carrier schedules, transit times and trade-lane availability remain subject to operational confirmation.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in French Polynesia: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact