inland, and to provide a safe route for cargo boats destined for Toamasina compared to traveling along the coast of the Indian Ocean. By 1901, an uninterrupted canal existed between Toamasina and Andevoranto, which extended 95 km.

Additional construction from 1949 to 1957, cost over 800 million CFA francs to complete. Part of this project included the 570 million CFA franc construction of a river port at Toamasina and improvements to the canal for 30 km from Toamasina