Swaziland, officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. Being landlocked, Swaziland does not have any seaports of its own. However, it relies on nearby ports in neighboring countries for its import and export activities. The nearest ports accessible to Swaziland are located in Mozambique and South Africa. Here are these ports:
List of Largest Ports in Swaziland
| Port Name | Country | Types of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Durban | South Africa | Container, Bulk Cargo | 800 |
| Port of Richards Bay | South Africa | Bulk Cargo | 200 |
| Port of Cape Town | South Africa | Container, Bulk Cargo | 500 |
| Port of Port Elizabeth | South Africa | Container, Bulk Cargo | 300 |
| Port of Saldanha Bay | South Africa | Bulk Cargo | 150 |
| Port of East London | South Africa | Bulk Cargo | 100 |
| Port of Mossel Bay | South Africa | Bulk Cargo | 50 |
| Port of Ngqura | South Africa | Container, Bulk Cargo | 250 |
| Port of Maputo | Mozambique | Container, Bulk Cargo | 400 |
| Port of Beira | Mozambique | Container, Bulk Cargo | 300 |
| Port of Nacala | Mozambique | Container, Bulk Cargo | 250 |
| Port of Quelimane | Mozambique | Bulk Cargo | 100 |
| Port of Pemba | Mozambique | Bulk Cargo | 50 |
| Port of Inhambane | Mozambique | Bulk Cargo | 20 |
Ports in Mozambique
1. Port of Durban
The Port of Durban, located on the east coast of South Africa, is one of the busiest and most significant ports for Eswatini’s imports and exports. Durban serves as the primary gateway for goods entering and leaving Eswatini. The port is equipped with modern facilities for container handling, bulk cargo, and petroleum products. Durban’s strategic location on the Indian Ocean and its robust infrastructure make it an essential hub for international maritime trade in Southern Africa. The port also plays a crucial role in connecting landlocked countries like Eswatini to global markets.
City Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Latitude: 29.8587° S
Longitude: 31.0218° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Pietermaritzburg | 80 | N3 Highway |
| Richards Bay | 180 | N2 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 570 | N3 Highway |
| Pretoria | 600 | N1 Highway |
| Bloemfontein | 700 | N1 Highway |
| Port Elizabeth | 950 | N2 Highway |
| Newcastle | 200 | N11 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (Pietermaritzburg)
- Richards Bay Railway Station (Richards Bay)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Pretoria Railway Station (Pretoria)
2. Port of Maputo
The Port of Maputo, located in Mozambique, is another key port for Eswatini’s international trade. Maputo is well-positioned for trade between Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean. With its modern infrastructure and capacity for handling bulk cargo, containers, and liquid cargo, Maputo serves as a vital transit point for goods flowing in and out of Eswatini. The port’s proximity to Eswatini and its expanding capacity make it an increasingly important option for Eswatini’s trade operations.
City Location: Maputo, Mozambique
Latitude: 25.9653° S
Longitude: 32.5887° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Matola | 15 | EN1 Highway |
| Mbabane | 410 | Maputo-Mbabane Road |
| Nelspruit | 230 | N4 Highway |
| Pretoria | 400 | N4 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 500 | N4 Highway |
| Polokwane | 450 | N1 Highway |
| Kosi Bay | 150 | EN1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Maputo Railway Station (Maputo)
- Matola Railway Station (Matola)
- Mbabane Railway Station (Mbabane)
- Nelspruit Railway Station (Nelspruit)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
3. Port of Richards Bay
The Port of Richards Bay is one of South Africa’s largest ports and is essential for Eswatini’s exports, particularly in coal and other minerals. Located on the east coast of South Africa, Richards Bay is a vital deep-water port capable of handling large bulk carriers. The port is well-suited for the export of coal from Eswatini’s mines and serves as a critical link between Eswatini’s mining sector and international markets, especially to countries in Asia and Europe.
City Location: Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Latitude: 28.7833° S
Longitude: 32.0394° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Empangeni | 20 | N2 Highway |
| Durban | 180 | N2 Highway |
| Pietermaritzburg | 220 | N3 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 600 | N3 Highway |
| Pretoria | 630 | N1 Highway |
| Vryheid | 250 | N2 Highway |
| Newcastle | 330 | N11 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Richards Bay Railway Station (Richards Bay)
- Empangeni Railway Station (Empangeni)
- Durban Railway Station (Durban)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (Pietermaritzburg)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
4. Port of Beira
The Port of Beira in Mozambique is an important outlet for Eswatini’s imports and exports, especially for bulk goods and commodities. Beira serves as a crucial link to the landlocked countries in Southern Africa, including Eswatini. The port is strategically located to provide access to the Indian Ocean, and it serves as an essential point for the transit of goods to and from the inland regions of Southern Africa.
City Location: Beira, Mozambique
Latitude: 19.8435° S
Longitude: 34.8385° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Chimoio | 250 | N6 Highway |
| Maputo | 700 | EN1 Highway |
| Harare | 600 | A5 Highway |
| Mbabane | 800 | Beira-Mbabane Road |
| Johannesburg | 800 | N4 Highway |
| Polokwane | 900 | N1 Highway |
| Lusaka | 1,000 | T1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Beira Railway Station (Beira)
- Chimoio Railway Station (Chimoio)
- Maputo Railway Station (Maputo)
- Harare Railway Station (Harare)
- Mbabane Railway Station (Mbabane)
5. Port of Walvis Bay
The Port of Walvis Bay, located in Namibia, is an important port for trade in Southern Africa. While it is farther from Eswatini, it provides a vital link for goods coming from Eswatini through the southern corridor, particularly for exports and imports passing through South Africa. Walvis Bay’s location on the Atlantic Ocean makes it a critical point for shipping, and its modern infrastructure supports a wide range of cargo, including containers and bulk goods.
City Location: Walvis Bay, Namibia
Latitude: 22.9576° S
Longitude: 14.5050° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Swakopmund | 30 | B2 Highway |
| Windhoek | 350 | B1 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 1,500 | N1 Highway |
| Cape Town | 1,600 | N1 Highway |
| Pretoria | 1,700 | N1 Highway |
| Gaborone | 1,800 | A2 Highway |
| Lusaka | 2,000 | T1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Walvis Bay Railway Station (Walvis Bay)
- Swakopmund Railway Station (Swakopmund)
- Windhoek Railway Station (Windhoek)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Cape Town Railway Station (Cape Town)
6. Port of Durban North
Durban North is an extension of the Port of Durban, handling mainly smaller vessels and specific types of cargo. This part of the port focuses on bulk goods such as coal, agricultural products, and manufactured items. Durban North serves as a supplementary hub for Eswatini’s maritime trade, helping distribute goods from the larger Port of Durban and supporting the region’s logistics.
City Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Latitude: 29.8764° S
Longitude: 31.0452° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Umhlanga | 10 | M41 Highway |
| Ballito | 30 | N2 Highway |
| Pietermaritzburg | 100 | N3 Highway |
| Richards Bay | 180 | N2 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 570 | N3 Highway |
| Pretoria | 600 | N1 Highway |
| Bloemfontein | 700 | N1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Durban North Railway Station (Durban)
- Umhlanga Railway Station (Umhlanga)
- Pietermaritzburg Railway Station (Pietermaritzburg)
- Richards Bay Railway Station (Richards Bay)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
7. Port of Nacala
Nacala is a port in northern Mozambique, important for trade between the Indian Ocean and Southern Africa. While more distant from Eswatini, Nacala serves as an alternative gateway for goods arriving from East Africa and beyond. The port specializes in bulk commodities and oil, and its deep-water capacity allows it to handle large ships.
City Location: Nacala, Mozambique
Latitude: 14.5352° S
Longitude: 40.6709° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nampula | 130 | N1 Highway |
| Pemba | 300 | N1 Highway |
| Maputo | 800 | EN1 Highway |
| Beira | 850 | N6 Highway |
| Lilongwe | 950 | T1 Highway |
| Blantyre | 1,100 | T1 Highway |
| Mbabane | 1,200 | Beira-Mbabane Road |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Nacala Railway Station (Nacala)
- Nampula Railway Station (Nampula)
- Pemba Railway Station (Pemba)
- Maputo Railway Station (Maputo)
- Beira Railway Station (Beira)
8. Port of Beira
The Port of Beira, located in Mozambique, serves as a significant trade route for goods traveling to and from Eswatini. Beira’s port handles bulk commodities, particularly coal, timber, and agricultural products. This port is one of the key alternatives for Eswatini’s trade, particularly with Southern and Eastern Africa.
City Location: Beira, Mozambique
Latitude: 19.8435° S
Longitude: 34.8385° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Chimoio | 250 | N6 Highway |
| Maputo | 700 | EN1 Highway |
| Harare | 600 | A5 Highway |
| Mbabane | 800 | Beira-Mbabane Road |
| Johannesburg | 800 | N4 Highway |
| Polokwane | 900 | N1 Highway |
| Lusaka | 1,000 | T1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Beira Railway Station (Beira)
- Chimoio Railway Station (Chimoio)
- Maputo Railway Station (Maputo)
- Harare Railway Station (Harare)
- Mbabane Railway Station (Mbabane)
9. Port of Nelspruit
Located near the border between South Africa and Mozambique, Nelspruit is an inland port that supports Eswatini’s exports, particularly in agriculture. Nelspruit’s strategic position makes it an important transit point for cargo traveling to and from Eswatini, and it connects the agricultural sector to major international shipping lanes.
City Location: Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Latitude: 25.4680° S
Longitude: 30.9810° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Maputo | 230 | N4 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 400 | N4 Highway |
| Pretoria | 430 | N1 Highway |
| Polokwane | 450 | N1 Highway |
| Mbabane | 500 | Nelspruit-Mbabane Road |
| Gaborone | 800 | A2 Highway |
| Lusaka | 1,000 | T1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Nelspruit Railway Station (Nelspruit)
- Maputo Railway Station (Maputo)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Polokwane Railway Station (Polokwane)
- Mbabane Railway Station (Mbabane)
10. Port of Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay, located in Namibia, is one of the most critical ports on the Atlantic Ocean for Southern Africa. It serves as an alternative shipping hub for Eswatini, providing access to global trade routes. The port specializes in bulk commodities, including mineral resources and oil, and provides a key entry point for goods traveling to and from Eswatini via land.
City Location: Walvis Bay, Namibia
Latitude: 22.9576° S
Longitude: 14.5050° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Swakopmund | 30 | B2 Highway |
| Windhoek | 350 | B1 Highway |
| Johannesburg | 1,500 | N1 Highway |
| Cape Town | 1,600 | N1 Highway |
| Pretoria | 1,700 | N1 Highway |
| Gaborone | 1,800 | A2 Highway |
| Lusaka | 2,000 | T1 Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Walvis Bay Railway Station (Walvis Bay)
- Swakopmund Railway Station (Swakopmund)
- Windhoek Railway Station (Windhoek)
- Johannesburg Railway Station (Johannesburg)
- Cape Town Railway Station (Cape Town)