Port Overview
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Latitude |
6 ° 21 ' N |
Longitude |
2 ° 26 ' E |
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Time Zone |
GMT +1 |
UN/LOCODE |
BJCOO |
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Breakbulk Facilities |
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Container Facilities |
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Dry Bulk Facilities |
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Liquid Facilities |
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Gas Facilities |
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Ro-Ro Facilities |
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Passenger Facilities |
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Multipurpose Facilities |
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Credits |
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Port Map
Port description
Location: Cotonou port
is located in the Gulf of Guinea, on West African coast about 90nm ENE
of Cape St Paul.
General overview: Cotonou is the only port for the Republic of
Benin. A large artificial port, sheltered within 2 breakwaters. There
are berths for a variety of cargoes including quayage along the E
breakwater.
The outside anchorage may be exposed to hurricanes.
The main exports are cotton and kapok and main imports are gypsum and
cereals. The port also handles containers and Ro-Ro cargoes.
Traffic figures: Approx 1,320 vessels and approx
5,150,000t of cargo handled annually.
Load Line zone: Tropical.
Max size: Tankers: Length 200m, beam 30m, draught 10m.
Other ships: LOA 225m, beam 35m, draught 10.0m.
Navigation
Port limits: The port
limits are 3nm from the sea buoy.
Sea buoys, fairways and channels: The port is approached from
seaward and entered through a dredged channel between the heads of two
breakwaters.
The breakwater extends 0.5nm SSW from a position 0.75nm W of the
entrance to Lac Nokoue. The W breakwater extends SE then E from a
position 0.3nm WNW of the head of the E breakwater. A groyne extends S
from the elbow of the W breakwater. Lights are exhibited on the heads of
the E and W breakwaters and above the groyne and within the harbour.
The entrance channel is 1nm in length, 180m wide and is dredged to
depths varying between 11.0-12.0m but there is a tendency to silting.
The harbour is dredged to 11m. Vessels with a maximum draught of 10.0m
can be accommodated.
Pilot: Compulsory for all vessels over 100NT entering and leaving
the port, available throughout 24 hours. Request for the pilot should be
made at least 3 working hours before arrival and before 1830hrs for any
night movements. Pilot routine working hours are 0600-2359hrs, however
for emergencies throughout 24 hours.
The pilotage area comprises of the old and new docks inside the sea wall
and the wharf including a circle of radius 1nm with centre on the W
jetty pierhead (main sea wall carrying the red beacon light).
Pilots board in position 06°20.0'N 002°26.8'E (1nm ESE of harbour
entrance).
For vessels requiring a pilot, signals are Interco "G" by day or VHF
Ch16 which operates throughout 24 hours.
ETD should be confirmed at least 1 hour in advance to allow tugs and
mooring gangs to be ready.
Anchorages: Anchorage with good holding ground may be obtained
about 0.6nm SE of the head of W breakwater in a depth of 13.0m.
Anchorage is not recommended in the entrance to Lac Nokoue where the
current can attain a rate of 6kts.
On anchoring vessels should inform Port Control of time of anchoring,
LOA, draught, agency, type and tonnage of cargo to be discharged.
Prohibited anchorage: W of the meridian passing though the centre
of the head of the West Pier.
All anchorage is prohibited in the entrance channel.
Tidal range and flow: Range 0.6-1.8m.
Dock density: 1020-1024.
Weather: Prevailing winds: SW'ly.
Charts: BA 1861, 1380. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(3).
Restrictions: Restricted cargo: Cargo of class 7, IMDG
code (Radioactive materials) must not be imported to Benin. The port’s
new zoning plan provides a special designated area for IMDG code goods.
Tugs: Compulsory for vessels entering and leaving, also any
movement in the harbour for vessels over 500GT.
One tug compulsory for vessels of LOA 100m. Two tugs compulsory for
vessels over LOA 100m and carrying dangerous cargo.
There are 3 tugs available: "Kondo", 2,000hp; "Avlekete", 1,500hp and "Bopessi",
1,500hp, all with fire fighting and sea rescue capability.
Coastguard: The Marine Police act as coastguard.
Berths and Cargo
Names/Nos: Commercial
Quay: Continuous length of 1,275m, has 8-10 berths to the N of the
docks, Vessels of up to 10.0m draught can use these berths. Berths as
follows:
Four berths of 155m each to take conventional vessels.
Two berths of 180m, each also for conventional vessels.
Berths Q6-Q8, length 440m for container vessels.
One berth at the W end of the commercial quay of 200m, to take Ro-Ro
vessels.
The E berth, Q1, is used by tankers for the discharge of fuel oil.
Vessels up to 150m in length with a draught of 8.0m can be accommodated.
The East Jetty: Length 460, as well as playing an important role
of protection it has 3 berths on its inner side:
One 200m bulk berth used for hydrocarbons, also for unloading heavy
goods such as clinker and gypsum.
One 160m berth for the loading of vegetable oils.
One 100m berth for refrigerated vessels, trawlers and low tonnage
vessels.
ORYX Terminal: Tanker berth P2, length 250m, can accommodate vessels up
to LOA 200m with a maximum draught of 10.0m.
Facilities: Cranes of 9 x 5t, 3 x 10t, 1 x 20t, 1 x 35t, 1 x 45
and a 100t mobile crane are available.
Storage: Warehousing, cold storage and container handling areas
are available. Petroleum tanks and vegetable oil tanks 43,700m3.
Grain silos 11,000t capacity.
Ballast/slop reception: In accordance with MARPOL regulations,
contact should be made with marine agent.
Security: The port is ISPS compliant. There is a Port Police
Squad of Gendarme and a police station.
Any vessel moored at the port must have a watchman on board.
General
Repairs: There are
facilities available for small repairs.
Bunkers/water/stores: Fresh water: Available at all
wharfs.
Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil available.
Stores: Available.
Medical facilities: Approx 3km from the port.
Transport: Nearest airport: Cotonou, 7km.
Nearest railway: Cotonou.
Crew change: Crew change is possible.
Consuls: Belgium, France, Netherlands, Nigeria and United
Kingdom.
Public holidays: Jan 1, May 1, Aug 1 and 15, Dec 25. Muslim
holidays of Tabaski, Ramadan and Moulond.
Christian holidays of Easter and Christmas, Whitsun, Ascension Day, Nov
1 and Easter Monday.
Working hours: Normally 0700-1500hrs and 1500-2100hrs. Overtime
2100-0700hrs.
Garbage: Garbage facilities are available, contact agent.
Officials and visitors: No visitors allowed on board, except
within ISPS code requirements.
Fumigation: Fumigation facilities are available.
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