French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France scattered across multiple archipelagos in the South Pacific. Its international maritime trade relies almost entirely on the Port of Papeete. Other island harbours mainly operate inter-island coastal shipping and have no regular international liner services.

Port of Papeete (UN/LOCODE: PFPPT)

Located on the northwest coast of Tahiti Island in the capital Papeete, it is the territory’s sole international deep-water commercial port, administered by Port Autonome de Papeete. More than 90% of French Polynesia’s seaborne import and export cargo passes through this harbour.

The natural sheltered harbour features multiple dedicated berths. The maximum operational draft reaches approximately 10.4 metres, capable of accommodating container vessels, general cargo ships, ro-pax vessels, bulk carriers and medium-sized tankers. Key infrastructure includes mobile harbour cranes, open storage yards, covered warehouses, reefer power sockets, and dedicated terminals for petroleum and liquefied gas. Pilotage is compulsory for all incoming commercial vessels.

Major import commodities cover food supplies, construction materials, machinery, consumer goods, fuels and industrial equipment. Principal exports include copra, vanilla, seafood, handicrafts and small volumes of agricultural products. Regular international shipping services connect Papeete with Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the west coast of the Americas.

Functioning as a regional transshipment hub, Papeete distributes goods via domestic inter-island feeder vessels to Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, the Marquesas Islands and remote atolls across French Polynesia.

Other Regional Harbours (Inter-island only)

Port of Uturoa (Raiatea)The second-busiest cargo harbour within French Polynesia. It serves as the supply centre for the Leeward Islands. Only small coastal cargo ships and ferries call here; no direct international ocean services are available. All overseas cargo must be transshipped via Papeete.

Port of Bora BoraPredominantly a tourist and cruise harbour. It handles limited local supplies by inter-island vessels and lacks professional container handling facilities for international trade.

Port of Rikitea (Mangareva, Gambier Islands)A remote coastal port supporting local communities, receiving occasional supply ships from Papeete. It cannot accommodate large ocean-going vessels.

Supplementary Note

No other ports in French Polynesia can receive full-size international container ships. Remote islands depend fully on feeder distribution originating from Papeete. Navigation conditions are generally stable, though swells may occasionally affect port operations during certain seasons.