Cargo Lashing Equipment Madagascar

DunLash Load Securing Solutions for Madagascar’s Mining, Agricultural Export, and Sea-Freight Sectors

Cargo Securing in Madagascar — Specific Challenges

Madagascar is a large island nation in the Indian Ocean, off the south-east coast of Africa. Unlike its mainland neighbours, all of Madagascar’s import and export cargo moves by sea through its own ports — principally Toamasina (Tamatave) on the east coast — before or after long inland road journeys between the central-highland industrial zones and the coast.
These sea-and-road freight chains mean cargo must be secured to withstand extended road distances over variable Route Nationale conditions, the humidity and swell of an Indian Ocean sea crossing, and the moisture extremes of a tropical, cyclone-exposed climate.
Madagascar’s economy is anchored in mining — nickel, cobalt, ilmenite, graphite, chromite, and gemstones — alongside world-leading agricultural exports such as vanilla and cloves, a substantial textile and apparel sector, and seafood. Each of these generates specific cargo securing requirements, from heavy mining equipment and structural steel through to palletised produce and containerised manufacturing goods.
DunLash supplies Madagascar’s freight operators, mining companies, and logistics contractors with independently tested, SGS certified cargo securing products from our South African operations.
In addition to our cargo lashing solutions, we offer a full range of lashing systems, strapping, dunnage, desiccants, and cargo protection products. Read more about these product specifications below:
Polyester Lashing Specifications
Dunnage Bag Specifications
Mining & Heavy Industry Cargo Securing
Cargo Lashing Equipment Africa
Cargo Lashing Equipment Mauritius
DunLash Ultra Container Desiccant Specifications

Key Cargo Securing Challenges for Madagascar Freight

• Long inland road corridors — the RN2 route between Antananarivo and the port of Toamasina, and other Route Nationale corridors to Mahajanga and Toliara, run hundreds of kilometres over variable road conditions, requiring cargo securing that maintains load stability over extended journeys.
• Sea crossings from an island economy — because every export leaves by ship, cargo must survive the swell, vibration, and humidity of an Indian Ocean voyage in addition to the inland road leg.
• Tropical, cyclone-exposed climate — Madagascar’s hot, humid coasts and the November–April cyclone season create high moisture and condensation risk for containerised cargo.
• Mining equipment transport — the Ambatovy nickel and cobalt operation and the QMM ilmenite project near Fort Dauphin generate substantial heavy-equipment freight requiring high-strength lashing.
• Agricultural exports — vanilla, cloves, coffee, lychees, and essential oils moving through Toamasina and regional ports require moisture protection alongside physical cargo securing.

DunLash Products for Madagascar Cargo Operations

Woven Polyester Lashing — Mining and Heavy Equipment

DunLash woven polyester lashing provides SGS certified system strengths from 2,850 daN to 13,850 daN — covering the full range of mining equipment, heavy machinery, and structural cargo that moves between Madagascar’s industrial zones, its ports, and export markets.

Composite Polyester Strapping — Palletised and Bundled Cargo

DunLash composite polyester strapping in widths from 13mm to 32mm provides system breaking strengths from 529 daN to 2,771 daN. Available in standard and AAR-rated configurations, it is used extensively for palletised goods, manufacturing exports, and agricultural cargo moving in containers.

Dunnage Air Bags — Containerised Cargo Protection

DunLash PP dunnage air bags in sizes from 90×120cm to 90×225cm prevent load shifting inside containers during the road journey to Madagascar’s ports and the sea leg beyond. Available in AAR Level 0, 1, and 2, with burst pressures up to 17psi and operating temperatures from −20°C to 60°C.

Container Desiccants — Moisture Protection for the Full Journey

Cargo packed in Madagascar’s highland climate can encounter very different humidity conditions as containers descend to the humid coastal ports and cross the Indian Ocean, often during the cyclone season.
DunLash Ultra container desiccants absorb up to 250% of their weight in moisture, protecting cargo from container rain, mould, and corrosion throughout the full journey.

Industries in Madagascar Using DunLash Cargo Securing

• Nickel and cobalt mining — the Ambatovy operation is one of the largest lateritic nickel mines in the world; equipment, processing machinery, and refined product all require professional cargo securing.
• Ilmenite and mineral sands — the QMM project near Fort Dauphin (Tôlanaro) exports titanium-bearing ilmenite through the dedicated port of Ehoala, generating heavy-equipment freight.
• Graphite, chromite and gemstones — Madagascar’s expanding graphite sector and its established chromite and sapphire operations produce growing freight volumes.
• Vanilla and agricultural exports — Madagascar is the world’s leading vanilla producer; vanilla, cloves, coffee, and lychees move in containers through Toamasina and northern ports.
• Textiles and apparel — Madagascar’s export-processing textile sector around Antananarivo manufactures garments for international markets.
• Seafood — shrimp and tuna exports requiring reliable containerised cargo protection.

Key Ports and Freight Corridors Serving Madagascar

• Toamasina (Tamatave): Madagascar’s principal deep-water port on the east coast, handling the majority of the country’s container traffic — approximately 350km from Antananarivo via the RN2 corridor.
• Ehoala (Fort Dauphin / Tôlanaro): a modern deep-water port in the south-east, serving the QMM ilmenite operation and regional cargo.
• Mahajanga (Majunga): a north-west coast port linked to Antananarivo via the RN4 corridor, serving the western regions.
• Antsiranana (Diego Suarez): a large natural deep-water harbour in the far north, serving northern Madagascar and the SAVA vanilla-producing region.
• Toliara (Tuléar): a south-west coast port connected to the highlands via the RN7 corridor.

Madagascar Cargo Lashing FAQs

Does DunLash supply cargo securing products directly to Madagascar?

DunLash supplies Madagascar customers from our South African offices in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, coordinating sea-freight delivery to Malagasy ports such as Toamasina.
Our South African office locations include:

• Johannesburg: 80 Ronald Ave, Meadowview, Linbro Park AH, Sandton 2090
• Durban: Unit 1, Chestnut Grove Industrial Park, 122–136 Brackenhill Road, Waterfall 3610
• Cape Town: 60 Tower Road, Airport Industria

What is the strongest lashing DunLash offers for mining equipment in Madagascar?

The DunLash 750, 50mm woven polyester lashing achieves a system breaking strength of up to 13,850 daN with a Dynablock buckle — approximately 14 tonnes of breaking force.
This is the recommended product for the heaviest mining equipment, crushers, conveyors, and project cargo moving between Madagascar’s mining operations and its export ports.

Which port is most commonly used for Madagascar’s export cargo?

Toamasina (Tamatave) is Madagascar’s principal port and handles the majority of the country’s container traffic. Ehoala near Fort Dauphin serves the QMM ilmenite exports, while Mahajanga and Antsiranana serve the western and northern regions.
DunLash supplies product to operations using all of these port corridors.

Why is cargo securing important for Madagascar freight?

Madagascar cargo often travels long distances over variable inland roads before reaching port, then faces an Indian Ocean sea crossing in a humid, cyclone-exposed climate. Proper cargo securing helps prevent load shifting, product damage, moisture-related losses, and compliance issues during extended road and sea transport.

Can DunLash support Madagascar mining and agricultural cargo?

Yes. DunLash supplies SGS certified woven polyester lashing, composite strapping, dunnage bags, and desiccants for mining equipment, structural steel, machinery, and moisture-sensitive agricultural exports such as vanilla and cloves moving through Madagascar’s ports.
Contact DunLash to discuss cargo securing solutions for your Madagascar operations.

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