Port of Toamasina
Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. Toamasina (Tamatave) is the nation's chief port and is connected by rail with Antananarivo. Toamasina exports sugar, coffee, cloves, and rice. Food processing is the chief industry. The port system has essentially been left untouched since independence in 1960, though in some areas, the private sector itself began to manage port facilities. Pricing of imported products depends on import duties, which generally range from 0 to 30, percent and on the location of the sale. Profit margins on all products tend to be small, around 7 to 10 percent. As a result of the devaluation of the Malagasy Franc in May 1994, local prices of imported goods have risen dramatically, although imported goods are also much more available now than 5 years ago. Safmarine and Maersk vessels trade at this seaport.
Solima (Solitany Malagasy) refinery is located at this port. Solitany Malagasy (Solima) controls the importation of crude and bulk fuels although this sector is expected to be privatized. Solima also purchases gasoil from the oil companies and then sells the product to the shipping industry. Imports of bitumen, bunkers, base oils and LPG are administered by the private sector. Solima carries out distribution and marketing of fuels products. The Galana consortium's take over of the Solima petroleum refinery at Toamasina helps the privatization. The successful consortium comprises Galana Petroleum, Gulf Oil International, Petroleum India International, Groupe Trimeta and some local investors. In 1999, about 85% of Madagascar's crude petroleum were imported from Iran, and from Qatar, about 15%. Xpronet Resources Inc of Houston, TX signed petroleum exploration contracts with the Government.
The Northern Network of the Malagasy Railway consists of three lines, built between 1903-1926. They carry 94% of the rail freight and 86% of the passenger rail traffic of the country. The network is entirely single track, metric gauge with a maximum axle load of 16 tons. The TCE line is from the port of Toamasina to the capital city of Antananarivo.