Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE CD MAT

Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo · 5.82° S, 13.45° E

The World Port Index classes Matadi as a river port reached from the South Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 7.9 m and a cargo pier depth of 12 m. Norfolk is 10,370 km away in a straight line.

10,370 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
7.9 m
Cargo pier depth
12 m
Max vessel length
189.9 m
From Norfolk
10,370 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
Boma40 km away

Depths and vessel limits

Of the 3 ports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with guides here, Matadi records the deepest cargo pier in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 189.9 m and a maximum draft of 10 m.

Channel depth
7.9 m
Anchorage depth
18 m
Cargo pier depth
12 m
Tidal range
1.8 m
Entrance width
167 m
Maximum vessel length
189.9 m
Maximum vessel beam
32.3 m
Maximum vessel draft
10 m

As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.

Facilities on record

Arrival and entry

Matadi is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Pilotage available
Yes
Pilotage advisable
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Tug salvage
No
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Port security
Yes
Shelter afforded
Good
Entrance restricted by tide
Yes
Entrance restricted by swell
Yes
Overhead limits
Yes

Cargo handling

Cargo facilities on record: container, breakbulk and solid bulk.

Container
Yes
Breakbulk
Yes
Solid bulk
Yes
Wharves
Yes
Anchorage
Yes
Fixed cranes
Yes
Mobile cranes
Yes
Floating cranes
Yes
Longshore labor
Yes
Railway
Small

Services and supplies

Repairs
None
Electrical repair
Yes
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
Yes
Potable water
Yes
Provisions
Yes
Deck supplies
No
Engine supplies
No
Shore electricity
Yes
Medical facilities
Yes
Garbage disposal
Yes
Dirty ballast disposal
No
Airport
Yes

US trade with the Democratic Republic of the Congo

US exports, 2025
$223.8MLed by meat
US imports, 2025
$1.9BLed by copper

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Other ports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The nearest is Boma, 40 km away in a straight line.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.