MZ Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
Mozambique uses the country prefix MZ. The following three letters identify a UN/LOCODE location, such as MZMAP for Maputo, MZBRA for Beira and MZNAC for Nacala.
Seaports in Mozambique: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Mozambique has 24 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, serving Indian Ocean trade, regional corridors and bulk cargo flows.
Compare Mozambique port codes, cargo roles and practical shipping connections for Maputo, Beira, Nacala and other locations.
Mozambique Port Overview
Mozambique’s ports connect the country’s coastal economy with Southern Africa and Indian Ocean markets. Maputo, Beira and Nacala are the principal commercial gateways in the indexed sample, while smaller coastal locations serve regional, project, fishing and bulk-cargo requirements.
24
Mozambique ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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Official national seaborne cargo total, 2025; YoY: not publicly consolidated
MTC 2025 public data review
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National container throughput, 2025; YoY: not publicly consolidated
CFM 2025 public data review
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National commercial berth total, 2025; YoY: not publicly consolidated
MTC 2025 public data review
How many seaports does Mozambique have?
Mozambique has 24 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its November 2026 country database snapshot.
Which ports are the main commercial gateways?
Maputo (MZMAP), Beira (MZBRA) and Nacala (MZNAC) are the leading commercial gateways in the indexed Mozambique sample, with different hinterland and cargo specialisations.
Which areas handle Mozambique’s main maritime cargo flows?
Southern flows generally use Maputo (MZMAP), central corridor cargo uses Beira (MZBRA), and northern and land-linked cargo commonly uses Nacala (MZNAC).
Top Ports in Mozambique by Commercial Relevance
The table reflects the business activity order of the Ecer Freight sample rather than a verified global container league table. Mozambique-specific 2025 port-by-port TEU figures and year-on-year comparisons are not consistently published in a single official public series.
Indexed commercial and cargo ports · 2025 figures where an authoritative public series is available
Mozambique Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Southern Mozambique
The southern cluster is centred on Maputo and supports the country’s capital-region consumption base, industrial activity and cross-border corridors into Southern Africa.
Southern port sample
Central Mozambique
Beira is the principal central gateway and an important route for inland markets and regional trade. Quelimane and Chinde serve more localised coastal and river-connected cargo roles.
Central port sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beira | MZBRA | Beira / — | Container, general cargo, bulk and inland corridor freight |
| Beira | MZBEW | Beira / — | Port and terminal coding reference for Beira |
| Quelimane | MZQUE | Quelimane / — | Coastal, agricultural and general cargo |
| Chinde | MZCDE | Chinde / — | Local coastal and river-linked cargo |
Northern Mozambique
Northern ports serve coastal communities, regional mineral and project activity, and access to the Nacala corridor. Operating conditions and service availability can vary by location and season.
Northern port sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nacala | MZNAC | Nacala / — | Deep-water container, bulk and regional corridor freight |
| Nacala | MZMNC | Nacala / — | Port and terminal coding reference for Nacala |
| Pemba | MZPEM | Pemba / — | Project, general and coastal cargo |
| Ibo | MZIBO | Ibo / — | Local coastal and island supply activity |
| Angoche | MZANO | Angoche / — | Local coastal and fisheries-related cargo |
| Pemba | MZPOL | Pemba / — | Port and terminal coding reference for Pemba |
Mozambique Port Codes and UN-LOCODEs
UN/LOCODEs help identify locations in shipping instructions, customs documents, booking requests and transport-management systems. A code should be checked against the exact port or terminal required for the shipment.
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
A city or port-area code may coexist with another entry used for a terminal, facility or operational reference. The booking party should confirm the exact code accepted by the carrier, forwarder and destination customs process.
How to Verify a Port Code
Verify the location in the UNECE UN/LOCODE framework and compare it with the current Ecer Freight port directory before submitting shipping instructions.
Shipping from Mozambique: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative port-to-port ranges and depend on sailing schedules, transshipment, equipment availability, weather, customs clearance and final inland delivery.
Mozambique to East Asia
A common container routing for manufactured goods, machinery and consumer cargo, generally connecting Mozambique with Asian hub networks.
Mozambique to Europe
European services commonly move through established Indian Ocean and Mediterranean hub connections for containerised and project cargo.
Mozambique to Southern Africa
Short-sea and regional corridor movements support trade with neighbouring Southern African markets and inland distribution centres.
Mozambique to the Middle East and India
Indian Ocean services connect Mozambique with Gulf and South Asian markets for general cargo, consumer goods and industrial inputs.
Data Sources and Methodology
Port coverage, code presentation and commercial descriptions are separated from national statistics and global rankings. Where a reliable, consistently reported 2025 public figure was not available, the relevant table cell is shown as an em dash rather than estimated.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 24 Mozambique ports and terminals; database snapshot: Nov 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE principles and location-code reference framework.
- Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique — port and rail system context, subject to the availability of current public releases.
- Mozambique Ministry of Transport and Communications — transport-sector policy and official institutional context.
- Instituto Nacional de Estatística — national statistical reference point for official economic and transport data.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mozambique Ports
How many seaports does Mozambique have?
Mozambique has 24 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the November 2026 database snapshot.
What is the largest or busiest port in Mozambique?
Maputo, Beira and Nacala are generally regarded as Mozambique’s principal commercial gateways. Their relative importance depends on cargo type, corridor, terminal and reporting period; the indexed codes include MZMAP, MZBRA and MZNAC.
What are the main Mozambique port codes?
Examples include MZMAP for Maputo, MZBRA for Beira, MZNAC for Nacala, MZPEM for Pemba and MZQUE for Quelimane. The exact code should be confirmed before booking.
Which regions are served by Mozambique’s main ports?
Maputo serves the southern gateway and regional corridor, Beira serves central Mozambique and inland markets, and Nacala supports northern Mozambique and the Nacala corridor. Smaller ports provide more localised coastal or project services.
How current are the Mozambique port data on this page?
The indexed port coverage was reviewed against the Ecer Freight database snapshot for Nov 2026. Public throughput and infrastructure statistics are shown for the latest reliable reporting period available and should be confirmed with the carrier or port operator.
Can freight rates be requested for Mozambique?
Yes. FCL and LCL quotations can be requested through the relevant Ecer Freight rate-search pages. Final pricing depends on origin, destination, equipment, cargo details, sailing schedule, surcharges and inland delivery.
Are Mozambique port transit times fixed?
No. Transit times are indicative and can change with transshipment, vessel schedules, port operations, weather, documentation, customs clearance and inland transport conditions.
This Mozambique port guide combines the Ecer Freight first-party port index with UN/LOCODE and official institutional reference points. Port coverage is maintained through database updates, while public throughput and infrastructure figures are reviewed against the latest available releases. Shipping schedules, port operations and freight rates remain subject to confirmation at the time of quotation.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Mozambique: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact