1. Could you outline the mandate of the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) and its role in supporting the country’s trade, logistics, and economic resilience?
The Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) is the statutory body responsible for regulating and controlling the country’s port sector, including Port Louis Harbour and Port Mathurin, Rodrigues. It owns and provides core port infrastructure and related facilities.
Port Louis Harbour is the principal maritime gateway which handles around 99% of the total volume of the country’s external trade. Given its strategic location at the crossroads of the shipping routes in the Indian Ocean, Port Louis has emerged as a highly competitive port in the region.
Port Louis Harbour supports a wide range of economic activities that directly and indirectly sustain the Mauritian economy. It facilitates imports of goods like fuel, food, raw materials, medical supplies, machinery, vehicles, and consumer goods, and enables exports of key products such as sugar, seafood (especially tuna), and textiles, amongst others. This trade sustains industries, provides employment, and generates foreign exchange.
The port provides core infrastructure and facilitates the seamless movement of cargo—including containers, dry bulk cargo, general cargo, liquid bulk cargo, fish traffic, and cruise passengers, thereby integrating Mauritius into global supply chains.
It is also to be noted that Mauritius is a cruise destination and cruise activities are enabled through Port Louis Harbour. Cruise tourism stimulates local businesses, hospitality, and cultural industries, contributing to economic development.
Moreover, Port Louis has over the recent years strengthened its position as a bunkering port offering topping up facilities to a growing vessel traffic plying in this region.
The port, whilst generating employment within its various business sectors—namely marine and port operations, cargo handling, maritime logistics, ship agency and navigation, amongst others—also contributes to the Gross Domestic Product through its economic activities.
The required logistics are available through the Mauritius Container Terminal, including other terminals/bulk cargo facilities, warehouses, and storage services, amongst others. Ancillary services are also being provided at Port Louis Harbour, which comprise ship chandling, ship repairs, hull cleaning, etc.
Port Louis Harbour also serves as a key node in the seafood export supply chain (especially for tuna and other high-value species), which is a core pillar of the blue economy, creating jobs and export revenue.
2. Port Louis is the main maritime gateway of Mauritius. What are the Authority’s current priorities in terms of port capacity expansion, modernization, and operational efficiency?
The last Port Master Plan was approved in August 2025 whereby the following main recommendations have been made:
Fishing Port
Island Container Terminal
Development of Dry Dock Facilities
Extension of Cruise Jetty
Bunkering Activities
3. Global shipping has faced major disruptions in recent years. How has the Mauritius Port Authority strengthened supply chain resilience and ensured continuity of maritime trade?
The maritime industry has faced major disruptions in recent years such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Suez Canal blockages, rising geopolitical tensions (e.g., in the Red Sea and South China Sea), rising shipping costs, and changing trade patterns.
It is to be pointed out that the port works on a 24x7 basis and this pattern was maintained even during the lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the MPA has strengthened supply chain resilience and ensured continuity of maritime trade through a series of measures such as:
4. Digitalisation is transforming port operations worldwide. How is MPA leveraging smart port technologies, automation, and data systems to improve turnaround times and service quality?
In 2024, the MPA implemented a Vessel Clearance System (VCS) that consolidates clearance procedures into a single online platform. Shipping agents can submit all required documents electronically for arrival and departure clearance. This reduces repetitive paperwork and speeds up processing times for vessels.
The system complies with the IMO standards, which mandates single windows for data exchange in ports.
After having successfully implemented Phase I of the Maritime Single Window (MSW), which pertains to a Vessel Clearance System, the MPA is now embarking on the second phase of the Maritime Single Window which will cater for Data Warehouse, Berth Planning and Management, amongst others. This undertaking will bring about further substantial improvement in vessel turnaround times, consolidating the Authority’s commitment to smarter, faster port logistics.
With regard to the management of cargo movements in real time, the port has in place a NAVIS System which has been set up by the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL), the operator responsible for cargo handling activities at Port Louis Harbour. This Terminal Operating System optimises yard planning and container stacking, whilst also improving the utilisation of cranes and equipment.
Dwell times for containers are significantly reduced and there is enhanced scheduling and reduced bottlenecks in container handling.
Additionally, in order to modernize Port Louis Harbour and transform it into a Smart Port, further digitalisation is being considered, encompassing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), further automation, and enhancement of cybersecurity frameworks, amongst others.
5. Mauritius aims to position itself as a regional logistics and transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean. What strategic investments are being made to enhance competitiveness and connectivity?
As a quick overview of MPA’s operational performance for financial year 2024/2025, total cargo traffic rose by 14.6% to 9.8 million tonnes as compared to 8.6 million tonnes in financial year 2023/2024. Similarly, container traffic reached 496,558 TEUs in financial year 2024/2025 from 469,585 TEUs in financial year 2023/2024, representing an increase of 5.8%. Total container throughput, comprising total container traffic and total transhipment container outwards including restows for the financial year 2024/2025, stood at 719,782 TEUs versus 680,538 TEUs for the preceding financial year, representing a surplus of 5.8%. As regards vessel traffic, it peaked at 4,139 calls as compared to 3,517 for last year (17.7% increase). The total number of vessels refuelling at Port Louis increased from 2,448 calls in FY 2023/2024 to 2,992 calls in FY 2024/2025, posting a surplus of 22.2%.
Over the years, massive investment has been made by the MPA to improve port services. These investments encompass a range of projects already implemented, namely the extension and upgrading of berths at the Mauritius Container Terminal, deepening of the channel to 16.5 metres, commissioning of a new cruise passenger terminal, installation of a modern CCTV and access control system, a new Vessel Traffic System, and the Vessel Clearance System, amongst others. Following its extension, the Mauritius Container Terminal can handle mega size container vessels of 15,000+ TEUs capacity.
The MPA has the impetus to further develop Port Louis Harbour and future port development projects as per its Port Master Plan 2024, entailing the construction of a Fishing Port at Fort William, construction of an Island Container Terminal and breakwater structure, development of a Dry Dock at Fort William, and extension of the Cruise Jetty to accommodate larger sized vessels, amongst others.
In addition, it is planned to construct a jetty by the private sector for the supply of bunker. This initiative will increase bunker supply and business opportunities for Mauritius, including auxiliary services such as crew change, ship repairs, etc.
The port supports a growing range of value-added ancillary services namely ship repairs and maintenance, bunkering (fuel supply to ships), ship chandling, freeport logistics and warehousing, etc. These services contribute to economic diversification, attract foreign direct investment, and help Mauritius in becoming a maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.
The Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd is currently in the process of acquiring new super post panamax hybrid cranes, RTGs, and other associated equipment as a key part of its Business Plan 2025–2030. The goal is to modernize the port, boost efficiency, and enhance sustainability.
6. Sustainability is increasingly central to port development. What initiatives is the Mauritius Port Authority undertaking to reduce emissions, promote green shipping, and support environmental stewardship?
Sustainability is a core pillar of how the Mauritius Ports Authority plans and operates the Port of Port Louis, with a strong focus on emissions reduction, green shipping, and environmental stewardship.
At the port level, MPA is improving energy efficiency through the electrification of port infrastructure and auxiliary systems, the deployment of LED lighting, upgraded energy-efficient air-conditioning systems, and smarter energy management across terminals and buildings. Renewable energy integration is progressing steadily, with 408 kW of rooftop solar photovoltaic capacity already installed and plans to scale this up to a total of 1 MW by the first quarter of 2027, using modular and dual-use solutions to address land constraints typical of island ports.
Port equipment electrification, including the transition to hybrid and electric cargo-handling equipment, is being undertaken by Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL), the licensed Terminal Operator of MPA operating under a Concession Agreement, as part of the wider decarbonisation of terminal operations, in close coordination with the MPA.
Digitalisation plays a key role in reducing emissions and improving efficiency. Systems such as the Mauritius Cargo Community System (MACCS) enable digital cargo and bunker clearance, while the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) provides real-time vessel tracking. In 2023, the Vessel Clearance System (VCS) introduced a single electronic clearance process, reducing administrative delays and vessel waiting time. CCTV and access-control systems, upgraded in 2023, further enhance safety, security, and traffic optimisation within the port.
To support green shipping, a World Bank-funded feasibility study conducted in 2022 confirmed that shore power for cruise vessels at Port Louis is technically feasible, although it involves significant capital investment. As a pragmatic first step, MPA is implementing shore power for its own fleet of tugs, with approximately 40% of the electricity supplied from renewable energy generated by rooftop solar PV, delivering immediate emissions reductions while building operational experience for future scale-up.
In parallel, the Port Master Plan has earmarked land-use provisions for alternative marine fuels, ensuring the port remains future-ready as these fuels become available. Environmental stewardship is reinforced through continuous monitoring of air and water quality, improved waste reception facilities, and robust spill-prevention and emergency-response systems, positioning Port Louis as a smart, green, and resilient maritime hub in the Indian Ocean region.
While ensuring that air and water quality meet set standards in the port, the Authority has, as part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, embarked in the recycling of ship wastes such as plastics, carton boxes/paper, cooking oil, used oil, wooden pallets, drums/cans/metals, and e-wastes. The aim is to favour circular economy and also address the pressing waste management issues that the island faces.
Transition to green bunker fuels is also on the agenda of the MPA and the adoption of clean bunker fuels has been covered in the Port Master Plan. Based on availability of such fuels and market demand, Port Louis Harbour will provide the necessary regulatory, technical, and infrastructural means to favour the use of clean bunker fuels by ships.
Green incentives are also being given to ships undertaking in-water hull cleaning through environment-friendly technologies, which allows them to reduce drag forces on the ships and hence reduce their GHG emissions.
7. How does the MPA work with private operators, shipping lines, and logistics providers to foster a collaborative and efficient port ecosystem?
MPA is a landlord port authority as per the Ports Act 1998 and it owns and provides core port infrastructure such as quays, navigation aids, marine services and leases facilities to private operators for cargo handling and other services.
The Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL), a state-owned private company, provides most of the container handling and stevedoring services at Port Louis Harbour under a Concession Agreement with the MPA. CHCL has thus over the years undertaken major investment for the procurement of cranes.
Container transhipment activities at Port Louis Harbour are undertaken mainly by shipping lines such as the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Maersk, and CMA-CGM, which together account for the vast majority of container movements.
To support major expansion plans such as the proposed Island Container Terminal, the MPA is exploring public-private partnership (PPP) models that would bring private sector capital and expertise.
Regular stakeholder dialogue through forums like meetings of the Port Users’ Council are being ensured in order to have multi-stakeholder consultations that bring together Government agencies, Customs, shipping agents, logistics firms, fishing/shipping companies, amongst other port stakeholders.
At Port Louis Harbour, many private logistics firms, freight forwarders, and warehouses provide related services. The MPA acts as facilitator and enables these firms to provide their services efficiently, thus enhancing the overall logistics ecosystem that operates before and after ships call at the port.
8. The UAE is home to some of the world’s most advanced ports and maritime operators. What opportunities do you see for cooperation or knowledge exchange with Gulf-based port authorities and investors?
The UAE’s ports and maritime operators are global benchmarks for innovation and efficiency and the Mauritius Ports Authority sees strong potential for practical, mutually beneficial cooperation with UAE counterparts.
There are clear opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity building, particularly in port automation, digital port community systems, smart terminal operations, and the integration of ports into wider logistics and free-zone ecosystems. Learning from the UAE’s experience in developing world-class maritime clusters can help accelerate Mauritius’s own transformation agenda.
In 2019, the MPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Abu Dhabi Ports for areas of cooperation in respect of port-related matters and, as such, the MPA has regular interactions with its counterpart for relevant assistance especially in the field of marine operations. The MOU has facilitated the chartering of two big tugs used for the provision of tug services at Port Louis Harbour. The outsourcing of the technical management of the MPA fleet of floating craft is similarly being addressed under the MOU.
9. Looking ahead, how do you envision the role of Port Louis evolving amid larger vessels, changing trade routes, and regional competition?
Global trade is becoming more fragmented, owing to geopolitical tensions. Within that perspective, Port Louis is a prospective port for shipping lines seeking alternatives to congested or disrupted corridors, the more so that it has a strategic position in the Indian Ocean.
Port Louis can also capitalize on increasing trade between Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Additionally, Port Louis has great potential to evolve into a resilient regional platform, anchoring transshipment, enabling cruise homeporting, transforming into a bunkering hub, and flexibly supporting new trade routes in the Western Indian Ocean.
10. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers about the Mauritius Ports Authority’s commitment to supporting trade, investment, and Mauritius’s ambition to become a leading maritime hub?
Mauritius has always been a bridge between Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The Mauritius Ports Authority is committed to ensure that Port Louis continues to serve as a reliable, efficient, and future-ready maritime gateway for regional and global trade.
As supply chains evolve and shipping networks become more selective, we are investing in productivity, digitalisation, and infrastructure to support larger vessels, faster turnaround times, and seamless cargo flows. Our focus is not only on scale, but on service quality, operational excellence, and resilience.
Port Louis offers more than a port of call, it is a trusted hub, strategically located, professionally managed, and open for long-term collaboration. The Mauritius Ports Authority remains fully committed to supporting trade, facilitating investment, and contributing to the country’s ambition to become a leading maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.
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