PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Moroni
Pilot
updated Jan 2018- Moroni pilot boarding place Pilot boards11°42.2′S 043°14.9′E
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels above 35m.
Key data
updated Jun 2026Size limits
Harbour: LOA 80m, draught 4.5m, 1,787DWT.
Offshore: LOA 199.90m, 63,511DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 3.8m (springs), 1.6m (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moroni Container Terminal | 4.50 m | 80 m | 3 |
| Moroni Terminal | — | 200 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2026Approach
Approach to the port is direct from sea, between SW and NW.
Directions for entering the port:
Souadzou Leading Lights: From W of Moroni the alignment (105°) of leading lights, exhibited at the head of the cove, leads to anchorage of the cove, in depths from 22.0m to 35.0m.
Front Light (white square tower, red top, 7m in height) 11°41.9'S 043°14.4'E on Ilot Souadzou.
Rear Light, 220m from front light (white minaret).
Caution: The navigational lights at Moroni cannot be relied upon. When exhibited, they are only visible from a short distance in rain squalls; the low lying town is also frequently obscured. It is therefore dangerous to attempt to make Mouillage de Moroni at night, even with reliable radar, an approach in the early morning, before sunrise, is recommended. As depths decrease rapidly the anchorage should be approached carefully with cable veered.
Anchorages
Anchorage can be obtained in depths from 22.0-35.0m approx 0.2nm WNW of Ilot Souadzou, but it is restricted and of poor quality as the roadstead is exposed and the holding ground of sand and coral is not good.
Tugs
Available.
Charts and publications
BA 3895. Admiralty Pilot NP39, NP286(8).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jan 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent to the agent 48 hours prior to arrival with the following information: Length, beam, max draught, name of the vessel, date of arrival, ETA and ETD.
Communications
There is a signal station at Moroni with which vessels can communicate by day.
VHF: Ch 16.
Tel: +269 773 8802.
Flags
The vessel's registered flag, yellow Interco "G" flag and national Comoros flag have to be shown.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Indian Ocean MOU.
ISPS
Designated Authority: Maritime Affairs of the Union of Comoros.
Contact: The Commissioner.
Address: Maritime Administration/Ship and Port, Security Department, PO Box 22061, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +971 6 742 8120.
Fax: +971 6 744 1270.
E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: +971 506 462452.
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
US Coast Guard announced that, effective June 10 2011, it is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving in the United States after having called at any port in the Union of the Comoros, during their last five port calls. In summary, each affected vessel must: (1) implement the Security Level 2 measures from its ship security plan while in any port of the country; (2) ensure that each access point is guarded and that guards have total visibility of the exterior of the vessel while in the port; (3) attempt to execute a Declaration of Security while in the port; (4) log all security actions; and (5) report actions taken to the pertinent USCG Captain of the Port [COTP] prior to arrival in the US. See 76 Fed Reg 30954.
Port services
updated Jan 2018Dry docks
There are no facilities available.
Medical
El Marouf Hospital, 1.5km.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport, 20km.
Working hours
Mon-Thu 0730-1500hrs; Fri 0730-1130hrs; Sat 0730-1330hrs.
About Moroni
updated May 2018Where it is
The port of Moroni is situated on the W of Ngazidja island, in the Comoros group, off E Africa.
The port
The port handles container, general cargo, dry bulk, passenger and liquid cargo.
Traffic
Approx 270,000 of cargo, 18,500TEUs and 70 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Moroni
Where does the pilot board at Moroni?
The pilot boards at Moroni pilot boarding place, 11°42.2′S 043°14.9′E.
What time zone is Moroni in?
Local time at Moroni is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Moroni?
The deepest berth listed is at Moroni Container Terminal: 4.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Moroni?
1025.
Which load line zone is Moroni in?
Tropical.
Who carries out Port State Control at Moroni?
Port State Control at Moroni: Indian Ocean MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Moroni?
The UN/LOCODE of Moroni is KMYVA.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Moroni say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.