Cotonou port clears containers in 36-72 hours as West African rivals stall
Cotonou port clears containers in 36 to 72 hours while regional rivals stall
West African port hubs are buckling under critical congestion, but Benin’s maritime gateway is holding its ground. The Port of Cotonou is posting container wait times of just 36 to 72 hours, placing it among the smoothest port infrastructures in the sub-region.
In a West African maritime landscape where logistics often turns into a headache, the Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) is showing remarkable resilience. At the “PAC Média Connect” meeting held in early October 2026, Charles Bennett Fayomi, Director of Port Operations and Security, laid out a comparative assessment of commercial activity.
A stark contrast with neighbouring ports
While several nearby ports are recording waiting times at sea ranging from six weeks to two months, Cotonou manages to keep its containers at berth with a pre-docking wait of between 36 and 72 hours.
The performance stands out even more given that overall saturation levels at some coastal infrastructures reach 200% to 250%, compared with roughly 100% for the Beninese port.
“There are ports right now where ships stay stranded at sea for a month without operators being able to touch their goods. Here, we manage to hold the line,” Charles Bennett Fayomi stressed.
A logistical release valve for the region
Paradoxically, this relative efficiency comes while the port is in the middle of an expansion project. By absorbing part of the surplus cargo diverted from saturated ports in the sub-region, Cotonou is positioning itself as a strategic logistical alternative for West African trade.
Controlled costs for operators
Although rising volumes put constant pressure on handling chains, port authorities are reassuring economic players about the financial impact. The PAC says it keeps ancillary fees and penalties tied to delays among the lowest on the regional market, preserving the competitiveness of the Beninese corridor.
