The objective is to deliver a master plan and an
implementation plan to renovate andrestructure the port. PoAI will be supervising the project. Already serving as a major West African port, the Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) has the potential to develop into a regional hub. Transhipment currently
exceeds six million tonnes annually, with the port looking to raise these volumes to around twenty million tonnes. Besides serving Benin itself, the port also supports several neighbouring countries, including Nigeria, and is also the closest port for countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The Port of Cotonou, currently accounts for 60% of GDP and vitally important to the Benin economy, is held back by outdated facilities, major congestion problems and a shortage of quay space and is unable to achieve its growth objectives in its current condition.
Master plan
PoAI will assist the Netherlands Embassy in developing a strategic master plan in conjunction with an action plan and technical specifications for the port’s renovation and restructuring operation PoAI will be sharing its expertise and assist with the organisational and technical structuring, monitoring, quality control and support onsite, in which it will be working closely with its network of Dutch and other international partners. PoAI Director Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen: “This project will eventually result in a master plan and implementation plan that will transform and restructure the Port of Cotonou in order to facilitate its growth and drive the Benin economy. PoAI is focusing on West Africa on account of its existing trading relationship with this region. Port of Amsterdam is a major cocoa port that receives very large volumes of cocoa shipments from West Africa. Once Benin’s infrastructure has been upgraded, it will become easier to increase the speed and efficiency of the port’s cargo transhipment.”
In preparation of the project, a delegation of Benin officials is visiting the Port of Amsterdam this week, from Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 January. The delegation includes the PAC management board and the Ambassador to Benin, His Excellency Mr Van Aggelen. The purpose of the visit is for the delegation to learn more about the Port of Amsterdam and for the partners to share their knowledge and experience. The delegation will also visit the AMPT break-bulk terminal, one of the terminal operators in Cotonou, and the facilities of port logistics services provider CWT Sitos.