MR Prefix and UN/LOCODE Structure
Mauritania uses the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 prefix MR in UN/LOCODEs. The three following characters identify a location or coded port record, such as MRNKC, MRNDB, MRNBU and MRNOU.
Seaports in Mauritania: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Mauritania has 4 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Atlantic trade, mining exports and commercial supply chains.
Explore Mauritania port codes, operating gateways, regional cargo roles and indicative shipping options.
Mauritania Port Overview
Mauritania’s seaborne logistics are concentrated on the Atlantic coast. Nouakchott serves the capital and domestic consumer market, while Nouadhibou is closely associated with fisheries, mineral exports and industrial cargo. Database coverage and public throughput statistics are separate measures.
4
Mauritania ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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National maritime cargo volume, 2025; consolidated YoY figure not publicly confirmed
Official maritime sources · 2025
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Container throughput, 2025; consolidated YoY figure not publicly confirmed
Port and transport sources · 2025
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National commercial berth count, 2025; consolidated YoY figure not publicly confirmed
Port and transport sources · 2025
How many seaports does Mauritania have?
Mauritania has 4 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nov 2026 database snapshot. This indexed count is not a claim about every facility or anchorage in the country.
Which port is the main commercial gateway?
Nouakchott, identified by the city-level code MRNKC, is the principal gateway for the capital region and general commercial supply chains. Port-specific schedules and terminal handling should be confirmed before booking.
Which area handles Mauritania’s major export cargo?
The Nouadhibou area, represented in the database by MRNDB and MRNBU, is the country’s key industrial and fisheries gateway and is closely linked with mineral and bulk export flows.
Top Ports in Mauritania
The table below lists the Mauritania port and terminal records in the Ecer Freight sample by business activity order. A consolidated, comparable 2025 TEU league-table figure is not publicly confirmed for these records, so rank, throughput and YoY fields are shown together as unavailable rather than estimated.
Mauritania port records and indicative 2025 container-data availability
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Nouakchott | MRNKC | — | — | Nouakchott metropolitan gateway |
| — | Nouadhibou | MRNDB | — | — | Nouadhibou industrial coast |
| — | Nouadhibou | MRNBU | — | — | Nouadhibou industrial coast |
| — | Nouakchott | MRNOU | — | — | Nouakchott metropolitan gateway |
Mauritania Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Mauritania’s indexed records fall into two practical Atlantic operating clusters. City-level and terminal-level records may represent different handling points or coding conventions, so the exact facility should be checked against the booking documentation.
Nouakchott Metropolitan Gateway
Nouakchott provides access to the national capital, inland distribution network and general import market.
Indexed Nouakchott records
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nouakchott | MRNKC | Nouakchott / — | General cargo, consumer imports and capital-region distribution |
| Nouakchott | MRNOU | Nouakchott / — | City-level maritime gateway record and commercial cargo support |
Nouadhibou Industrial and Fisheries Coast
Nouadhibou is associated with fisheries, industrial logistics and bulk or mineral-linked export activity on Mauritania’s northern Atlantic coast.
Indexed Nouadhibou records
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nouadhibou | MRNDB | Nouadhibou / — | Fisheries, industrial cargo and northern coastal trade |
| Nouadhibou | MRNBU | Nouadhibou / — | Bulk, mineral-linked export logistics and industrial supply |
Mauritania Port Codes Explained
City-Level and Terminal-Level Records
A city-level code and a terminal-level record can refer to different operational or administrative points within the same coastal market. Shippers should match the code with the named facility, carrier schedule and transport document.
How to Verify a Port Code
Cross-check the code against the UNECE UN/LOCODE reference and the Ecer Freight port directory before quoting or issuing shipping instructions.
Shipping from Mauritania: Main Trade Lanes
Indicative lanes reflect common commercial patterns rather than guaranteed routings. Vessel availability, transshipment choices, equipment positioning and port operations can change the final schedule and rate.
Mauritania to West Africa
Regional feeder and short-sea options can connect Mauritania with West African distribution markets, subject to carrier rotation.
Mauritania to Europe
Northbound services generally rely on direct or transshipment connections through Atlantic and Mediterranean networks.
Mauritania to Asia
Asia-bound cargo normally uses one or more transshipment hubs, with schedules affected by vessel strings and equipment availability.
Mauritania to the Americas
Americas cargo is generally routed through major European, Caribbean or West African hubs depending on the carrier network.
Sources and Methodology
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 4 Mauritania port and terminal records, snapshot November 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code verification reference.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — maritime location and navigation reference where applicable.
- UN Trade and Development — international maritime trade and port-sector context.
- Mauritania transport authorities — official-sector context for maritime infrastructure and transport administration.
Mauritania Port FAQ
How many seaports does Mauritania have?
Mauritania has 4 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the November 2026 database snapshot. The indexed count should be distinguished from a complete national inventory of every berth, anchorage or industrial facility.
What is the busiest port in Mauritania?
Nouakchott is the principal commercial gateway for the capital and domestic import market, while Nouadhibou is highly significant for fisheries, industrial cargo and mineral-linked exports. A comparable public 2025 TEU ranking is not confirmed for the indexed records.
What are the main Mauritania port codes?
The Ecer Freight sample includes MRNKC and MRNOU for Nouakchott, and MRNDB and MRNBU for Nouadhibou. The MR prefix identifies Mauritania in the UN/LOCODE format.
Which regions are served by Mauritania’s seaports?
The main indexed clusters are the Nouakchott metropolitan gateway and the Nouadhibou industrial and fisheries coast. Inland destinations generally require onward road transport from the selected coastal gateway.
How current is the Mauritania port data?
The database snapshot is from November 2026, while the latest complete statistical reference year used where available is 2025. Vessel schedules, port restrictions, surcharges and transit times remain subject to confirmation at quotation and booking.
Can I request a freight quote from Mauritania?
Yes. FCL and LCL quote requests can be submitted through the relevant Ecer Freight rate pages. The quotation should include the exact origin code, destination, cargo details, equipment, Incoterms and required dates.
Editorial note: This guide combines Ecer Freight’s first-party port-code coverage with publicly available maritime and trade references. Indexed records are reviewed as the database changes, while port schedules, cargo statistics, equipment availability and transit times should be reconfirmed for each shipment. The latest complete statistical reference year is 2025 and the page snapshot is November 2026.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Mauritania: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact