The shipping platform

Location: Ehoala, is situated on the S coast of Madagascar, close SW of Tolagnaro (Fort Dauphin). General overview: Ehoala is a multipurpose deep water port privately managed by Rio Tinto under a 40 year agreement, after which it will revert back to government ownership. Protected by a 625m breakwater, the port was built mainly for the export of Ilmenite from the nearby open mine. However as Tolagnaro (Fort Dauphin) port is not a deep water port the cargoes from there will be diverted to the new port, these include sisal, fuel oil, general cargoes, containers and cruise ships will also be handled at later stages of the port's development. The port is expected to handle approx 750,000t of Ilmenite and 40,000t of Zirsill annually, importing approx 30,000t fuel oil for the operations. The first shipment of Ilmenite left the port on 14th May 2009. Max size: First vessel: Federal Elbe, geared bulk carrier.