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Country Information > West Africa > Benin

Agency Details
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Delmas BENIN (CMA-CGM Group)
01 BP 433,
Zone Portuaire,
Boulevard de France,
Cotonou
Benin
General Tel: (+229) 21311576 / 90033062
Fax: (+229) 21315629
E-Mail: cto.ldohou@african-agency.com

Click here for a list of all OTAL agency offices

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OTAL Truck

Cotonou Port Information
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[ Port Infrastructure ] [ Port Security & ISPS ] [ OTAL's Service ] [ News ] [ Benin Port Overview ] [ Benin Port Interview 2008 ]

Port Infrastructure

Cotonou port and city is the de facto capital of Benin (formerly Dahomey), situated along the Gulf of Guinea. It is the starting point of the so-called Benin-Niger Railway, which extends 273 miles (439 km) into the interior but ends in the middle of Benin at Parakou. Goods can be moved another 200 miles (322 km) by road to the navigable Niger River. Cotonou is the economic hub of Benin and is the nation's largest urban centre. Its industries include brewing, textile production, and palm-oil processing.

Modern artificial deepwater port facilities were completed in 1965 at Cotonou to serve both Benin and Togo.

The port of Cotonou is a deep water port mainly used for the imports of cereals and gypsum used in the construction and agricultural industries. Cotton and kapok are the main exports.

During 1989-1991 the port was upgraded under a rehabilitation scheme costing nearly 2.5 billion CFA.

Today the port zone covers 400,000m2. It has 8 berthing stations divided into 4 berths of 155m for conventional vessels, 2 classical berths of 180m for conventional vessels and 1 berth of 220m for container vessels and 1 berth at the end of the commercial quay to take roll on, roll off vessel.

Cotonou port offers both bonded and unbondedwarehousing:
Bonded: Covering an area of 57,000m2 with a container depot of 65,000 m2 and a free zone reserved for Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Unbonded:Numerous warehouses and store yards.

Draft at Berth
10m
Draft at Harbour Mouth
12m
No of Deepwater Quays
1 quay, berths no 1-4
Length of Quay
220m for container vessels

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Port Security & ISPS

The implementation of the ISPS code came into effect on the 1st July 2004, a global maritime security standard introduced by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for member nations.

Below are the details of the Benin port plans for 2004

Port facility security plans are being put in place.
Higher cement walls (0.4m) have been added.
Strict control at gates has been enforced, with watchman and patrols in use.
Floodlighting at the quayside and waterside is in place.
All workers must have ID cards.
The port facility security officer can be contacted 24hrs a day.

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OTAL's Service

OTAL has a dedicated terminal terminal offers a full range of shore handling services exclusive to OTAL customers and which is managed by our agency office, Delmas BENIN (CMA-CGM Group).

OTAL has full control over shore operations, offering a complete portfolio of services. Benefits available to importers include positioning of containers in less than one hour after presentation of unstuffing authorisation. Transit of cargo is therefore accelerated, allowing the importer to honour consignee deadlines and further develop trade activities in the region.

OTALs Container Facility - Facts & Figures

  • Terminal incorporates 7,000m² of quay space, allowing containers to be stacked in consignee order.
  • Two forklift trucks - a 50 tonne Svetruck and a 15 tonne Kalmar model - dedicated to the shore handling of OTAL units.
  • Full security fencing around the entire terminal with access limited to one entry point. Security is of extremely importance in Cotonou as 90% of containers are unstuffed on quay.
  • The terminal employs its own personnel including tallymen and drivers.
  • The terminal is operational between 0700 hours and 2300 hours on weekdays and between 0800 hours and 1200 hours on Saturdays.
  • Future developments at the terminal include a dedicated shore handling invoice facility, which is currently being completed.

Cotonou is the major transit port for Nigeria, Niger, Burkina and Togo and has a strong import market with high demand for a wide range of commodities including petroleum products, foodstuffs and light consumer goods. The region also produces a number of agricultural products for export markets including cotton, cashew and shea nuts.

For further information on OTAL's inland service from Cotonou, please click here.

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Transport News
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Benin Grows To 3rd Highest Regional Exporter On Re-Export To Nigeria - 27/05/08
According to a 2008 World Trade Indicators [WTI] report, Benin is the region’s third best exporter in 2007. Benin’s exports have grown by 19.2% from 2% in 2005-2006 and imports by 9.9% from 4.9% in 2005-2006. The WTI noted that, looking at Benin’s large jump in export and doubling of import growth, it is surprising for a low-income cotton producer to achieve such a growth level, but due to increased re-export to Nigeria, whose capacity to import [whether through official or unofficial channels] benefited from high export earnings related to booming oil prices.

Trade growth in Nigeria, the region’s second largest economy, remained about the same [5% in both 2005–6 and 2007] with a large slowdown in import growth. Export growth was positive in 2007, albeit very low [2.1%], reversing the negative growth experienced in the period 2005–6 [2.5%], which was largely caused by underperformance in the oil export sector.

Angola [ranked 4th in the world], benefited from increased oil prices and exports. They achieved their highest export growth rates in almost 35 years [21.9%], with correspondingly huge increases in their foreign exchange earnings, allowing them to finance rapid real import growth. Meanwhile Sierra Leone registered a high export growth [17.1%] largely as a result of the lifting of the diamond export ban following the civil war. Other countries that experienced large real appreciations included the Gambia [10.7%] and two other oil producers, Equatorial Guinea [7.1%] and Gabon [5%]. These countries’ export growth rates were positive, ranging from 4.1% to 7.2%, and at or below the global average.

However Mauritania recorded negative real trade growth, the region’s newest oil producer listed disappointing export growth [7.6 % in 2007, down from 38.3 % in 2005–6] largely due to a halving of oil output tied to the installation of new oil exploration and extraction equipment acquired the prior year. Chad’s 2007 negative trade and export growth rate [0.4 % and 2.8 %, respectively] is due to a decline in both oil and non-oil exports, indicating a large decrease from its 2000–4 export levels [56.0 %] which were at that time, caused by a jump in oil exports. [BD 22/06/08] [Tripoli Post 27/05/08]

President Says Roads and Railroads are Needed for African Development - 27/05/08
President Yayi Boni, addressing the opening of the 4th meeting of Transport Ministers of CEN-SAD Community member states, praised the Gaddafi-Trans-Sahara Road Project that is to connect main regions. Yayi Boni called for advancing proposals that speed up construction of roads and railways networks in Africa and to execute the cooperation agreement in the field of land transportation and transits as well as in the maritime industry. [Tripoli Post 27/05/08]

Regional Bank Lends Benin FCFA3.5b For Road Rehabilitation - 09/05/08
The ECOWAS Investment and Development Bank [BIDC] has supported the rehabilitation of Benin's road network with a FCFA3.5 billion loan. The money will help to partly finance the rehabilitation of an important section of the road network in the economic capital, Cotonou, at an overall estimated cost of FCFA12 billion. The rehabilitation of the main road, which is part of the preparations for the holding of the 10th summit of the Community of Sahelian-Saharan States [CEN-SAD], next July. [Afriquenligne 09/05/08]

Benin Grants A Port Area Of 10,000 M2 To Chad - 08/05/08
The government of Benin has granted a port area of 10,000 m2 to Chad for receiving, warehousing and reexporting of merchandise to and from this country. This decision is a part of the strengthening of the economic partnership agreement in effect between the two countries since 2002. According to the Minister of Transportation, total traffic from Chad via the port of Cotonou increased from 14,317 tonnes in 2001 to 30,422 tonnes in 2007, a 112.48% increase. [Les Afriques 08/05/08]

DP World Keen To Manage Benin's Cotonou Port - 18/04/08
DP World [www.dpworld.com] is interested in managing Benin’s port and developing a free zone in order to bolster its gateway status after meeting President Boni Yayi. Parent company Dubai World identified the opportunities during the latest leg of its West African tour [which included Gabon, Congo, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Benin]. DP World stated that Benin has high growth potential. Non-oil trade between Dubai and Benin amounted to US$61.4million in 2007, which included import, export and re-export. The port handles trade in cotton, crude oil and palm products among other things. Dubai World has also entered negotiations with the government of Benin to develop large-scale tourist attractions in the country, including a 32km beachfront development and game park as well as an international hotel in the capital city of Porto Novo. [RT 18/04/08]

SMTC Inaugurate Cranes - 02/04/08
SMTC, a Bolloré group company, has inaugurated two GOTTWALD HM46407 cranes in Cotonou port on 01/04/08. Both President Boni Yaya and Transport Minster Armand Zinzindohoué were present. This hardware forms part of the Cotonou Port Authority’s [CAP] plan to modernise and improve competitiveness of the port. The cranes cost US$11.1 million [4.6 billion Fcfa], have a unit capacity of 100 tons to 24 meters and handle 6-8 movements per hour. [Actubenin 02/04/08]

Benin: New TVI Tax - 01/03/08
Please note the Benin authorities have implemented a ‘Taxe de Voirie’, applicable from 21/02/08. This tax, which has been reinstated after cancellation in 2005, amounts to 0.85% of the CIF value and concerns cargoes in transit for hinterland countries. It comes in addition to the road guarantee fund of 0.25%. This tax will be added to our CTBL tariff from 01/03/08 [Bill of Lading date]. Containers already unloaded in Cotonou or still onboard will be treated locally by our agents in Niger or Burkina in order to collect the tax before leaving Cotonou.

Dredging At Cotonou Port - 03/12/07
The port of Cotonou has been undergoing dredging works since 10/11/07 by Danish company BOS KALIS. The works are focusing on the entrance of the port which was completely obstructed by sand leaving only 30 meters of navigable water. They will also dredge the quays to a draft of approximately 11m. We understand that the dredging work will continue until 20/12/07. [Local agent 03/12/07]

Cotonou Port: Non Manifested Cargoes - 28/11/07
Please note that the Benin Customs have warned shipping lines and importers regarding non manifested cargoes. Effective from 1st January 2008, all cargo [including those shipped inside vehicles] must be manifested. Non compliance will mean shipping lines will be obliged to load goods back to origin at cost and to pay heavy penalties. [28/11/07]

Bolloré Starts Negotiations To Manage Port In Cotonou - 01/11/07
France's Bolloré group has begun negotiations with authorities in the port of Cotonou, with a view to taking over the management of port, according to Benin's transport minister Armand Zinzindohoue. Head of State, Thomas Yayi Boni, met Michel Roussin, vice-president of the French group during a meeting about imminent investment by the Bolloré group.

The port is currently managed by the Beninese government. Bolloré's activities in the port will begin with maintenance, creation and management of dry docks. According to local reports the group's investment could exceed Euro 30 million. [Thomson Financial News 01/11/07]

ISPS - Cotonou Port Meets Safety Standards - 23/08/07
Cotonou port meets the minimum international requirements for port facilities and safety according to a US audit. The US Coast Guard monitoring mission evaluation stated that the autonomous port meets minimal requirements of the international code of safety for boats and port facilities [ISPS]. Cotonou has avoided being downgraded and classified among ports to which it is inadvisable and dangerous to frequent. The Benin authorities have included reinforcing control of access to the port facilities, setting up radio and communications facilities for security guards, lighting up the marine shoreline of the port and training the port’s staff in mastering the ISPS code. [APA 23/08/07]

Cotonou Port Draft - 03/09/07
Following a study made in Cotonou port the official maximum draft is 9m [high tide/daylight berthing] as from 24th September 2007. Max LOA: 200m / Beam:50m [SAGA 03/09/07]

Cotonou Port Receives Liebherr Cranes - 08/03/07
Two Liebherr LHM 500 cranes [www.liebherr.com] have been delivered to Cotonou port. These cranes are exclusively for Danish Stevedores COMAN SA. The cranes have a maximum lifting capacity of 140 tonnes [depending on winch configuration] and 51 m max. radius.

IMF Mission On The Second Review Under Benin's PRGF - 08/03/07
An IMF mission visited Benin during 21/02-07/03 to conduct the second review under Benin's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility [PRGF] Arrangement. The mission met President Boni Yayi, the Minister of Development, Economy and Finance, Mr. Pascal Koupaki, his deputy, Mr. Albert Houngbo, Mr. Marcel A. de Souza, the National Director for the Central bank [BCEAO], and other senior officials of the government. The mission noted limited progress was achieved in the port area where implementation of consolidated electronic billing of port services, an end-December 2006 structural performance criterion, was not effected. By and large, Benin's PRGF-supported program was maintained on track. [IMF 08/03/07]

Conakry Port Extension – Tenders Launched - 12/12/06
The Ministère des Travaux Publics et des Transports and the Port Autonome de Conakry [Conakry Port Authorities] have launched the tender for the extension of the Conakry Container Terminal [CTS]. Works are expected to start by July 2007.

Tanene Bridge Repaired - 12/12/06
According to the government the Tanene Bridge which links Conakry to the cities of Boke and Fria has been repaired. This will aid movement of mining products as Boke and Fria are big mining centers. two Two of the world's leading producers of aluminium are based here: Alcoa [Boke] and Rusal [Fria]. [OTAL Agent 12/12/06]

State Petrol Chaos Slows Down Port Activity - 22/06/06
Decisions are being taken at state level by the new government. The manager of Continentale des Pétroles et des Investissements [CPI] has been jailed. CPI is the majority owner of SONACOP [Société Nationale de Commercialisation des Produits Pétroliers] whose coffers are empty and who have been unable to sufficiently supply the market for years which has often crippled the country, and in particular the port sector with recurrent stock disruptions.

New Manager At Cotonou Port Pledges Competitiveness - 08/09/06
On 31/07/06, Christophe Aguessy replaced Mr Lazare Gnonlonfoun as the new Director of the Port of Cotonou following a ministerial decree. Mr Aguessy is a banker from the West African Bank of Development [BOAD]. Mr Aguessy has a mammoth task ahead but is determined to develop the port infrastructure and react to decisions taken after consultation of the port industry’s stakeholders

Cotonou Port Customs Add Tax/Escort Charge On Aged Transit Vehicles - 22/08/06
Under new Custom reforms a payment of 81,000 FCFA will be imposed on any aged vehicle in transit via the Port of Cotonou to the hinterland. Local meetings with the Customs authorities are underway but as yet have not resolved this situation. [SAGA Benin 21/08/06]

Creation Of A Joint Commission Benin-Nigeria - 28/09/06
The economic relations between Benin and Nigeria are rated a priority under the policy to boost the Benin economy. Soon a high level joint commission for cooperation between the two countries will be established to enhance this.

The Joint Gabon-Benin Commission - 25/09/06
The third session of the economic cooperation commission for Gabon and Benin will be held before the end of the year in Libreville, after the 24-hour visit of the president of Benin Thomas Yayi Boni to Gabon

FG Moves to Repair Benin-Ore Road -05/10/06
The Federal Government has begun repairs to federal roads which have deteriorated as a result of recent torrential rain. According to Works Minister, Chief Cornelius Adebayo they include Benin-Ore and Onitsha-Enugu roads. He said directors in the Ministry and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency [FERMA] had been directed to identify all roads in need of similar intervention. [25/09/06]

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Contacts and Links
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Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Benin
(BP 31) Avenue Charles de Gaulle
Contonou
Benin

Ports Authority of Cotonou
Port Autonome de Cotonou Pac
Cotonou
Tel: +229 315280
Fax: +229 312891

BIVAC Website

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