Under the strategic leadership of Director General Niriko Tsirenge, Madagascar’s Société de Manutention des Marchandises Conventionnelles (SMMC) has undergone a transformative restructuring since 2018 to strengthen national supply chain security. Operating from Toamasina, the nation’s primary maritime gateway, SMMC manages all non-containerized cargo including essential commodities such as cement, rice, industrial supplies, and vehicles.
The company achieved a significant throughput of approximately 1.12 million tonnes in 2024, reflecting its critical role in maintaining national food security and supporting industrial development. This operational success stems from strengthened partnerships with key national stakeholders and an enhanced reputation for reliability.
SMMC has embarked on an ambitious governance modernization program, currently in the final stages of ISO 9001 certification. This initiative represents a comprehensive overhaul of operational processes aimed at ensuring quality assurance and full traceability. Digital transformation of workflow systems further enhances operational transparency, creating more secure and predictable port operations.
Environmental sustainability constitutes a cornerstone of SMMC’s development strategy. The company is engineering an ecological bulk hopper system to minimize dust pollution and reduce material losses, while simultaneously planning solar power installations to decrease its carbon footprint. As an active participant in the Resilience4Ports (R4P) initiative, SMMC aligns its operations with international climate objectives, demonstrating practical commitment to green port development.
Human capital development receives equal priority, with continuous training programs in international standards including the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. This investment in workforce excellence ensures safety, quality, and operational flexibility. At the Vohémar facility, where SMMC has assumed port authority responsibilities, these standards are being implemented through infrastructure rehabilitation and security upgrades to achieve full international compliance.
The company functions as a strategic convener of port ecosystem stakeholders, regularly coordinating with customs authorities, municipal leadership, and commercial users to optimize trade facilitation. This collaborative approach enhances Madagascar’s position as a reliable node within regional supply chains.
Through technical partnerships with globally recognized port complexes including Morocco’s Tanger Med, SMMC benchmarks international best practices for implementation in Madagascar. The organization remains focused on its fundamental mission: ensuring safe and transparent trade flows while securing the nation’s supply of strategic commodities and building modern, resilient port infrastructure for long-term development.