Cotonou (BJCOO)

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 outer 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.

Tropical.

Cotonou port is located in the Gulf of Guinea, on West African coast about 90nm ENE of Cape St Paul.

Tankers: Length 185m, beam 32.2m, draught 9.5m. Coman SA: Container vessels LOA unrestricted, beam 35m, draught 10.0m, approx 5,000TEU.

Approx 10,300,000t of cargo, 226,000TEU handled annually.

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.

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 11.0m. Vessels with a maximum draught of 10.0m can be accommodated. A new channel marked with buoys and dredged to a depth of 15.0m extends 3.2nm SE from the breakwater.

BA 1392, 1385. US Publication 123. Admiralty Pilot NP1, NP286(8).

The Marine Police act as coastguard.

1020-1024.

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°18.12'N 002°28.32'E. Vessels should request pilot assistance at least 3 hours in advance or by 1830hrs LT at the latest. ETD should be confirmed at least 1 hour in advance to allow tugs and mooring gangs to be ready.

The port limits are 3nm from the sea buoy.

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.

MHWS-MLWS 1.6m, MHWN-MLWN 1.3m.

Compulsory for vessels entering and leaving, also any movement in the harbour for vessels over 100GT. 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, 1 x 2,000hp and 2 x 1,500hp, all with fire fighting and sea rescue capability.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly.

COTONOU 6°20.56'N 2°26.00'E UNCTAD LOCODE: BJ COO ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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(2) Pilotage is exempt for the following: (a) Warships (b) Port service vessels (c) Vessels under 100 nt (d) Oceanographic and hydrographic vessels (e) Vessels under 200 nt which have called at the port more than 10 times (3) Notice of ETA: Vessels must request pilotage 48h prior to ETA. When departing the port, vessels must request pilotage at least 3h in advance, or before 1800 LT for a planned movement at night. (4) Pilot boards in position 6°18·12N 2°28·32E or as directed by the Port Control or the Pilot. \n________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n PORT CONTACT DETAILS: Port Control Call: Cotonou Port Control VHF Channel: Ch 14 Telephone: +229 0121314033 Hr Mr Telephone: +229 0121315592 \t+229 0195859315 (Mobile) Fax: +229 21312891 Port Authority Telephone: +229 0121312193 \t+229 0121315280 E-mail: contact@pac.bj Website: www.portdecotonou.bj HOURS:\tH24 PROCEDURE: (1) Notice of ETA: Vessels should send ETA 48h prior to arrival to the Port Control via the agent with the following information: (a) Vessel's name (b) Flag and call sign (c) Vessel's LOA and beam (d) IMO number (e) Draught (f) Tonnage and nature of cargo (g) Information on any hazardous materials onboard (h) ETA (i) Requested berth (j) Port of origin and next port of call (k) Name of agent (2) Vessels should confirm their ETA 24h prior to arrival. (3) Any changes to ETA should be reported immediately. (4)\tNotice of ETD: Vessels should send ETD 1h before any confirmation of departure manoeuvres. (5) Tugs are compulsory for vessels over 100 nt. \n________________________________________________________________________________ ___________\n" }

WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 23/25 (Former update 18/25) French Radiosignaux publication 93 Jan 2025, (RSDRA2025000043780), 23/25

VHF: Port Control: Ch 16, 14. Tel: +229 2131 4033. Pilots: Ch 16, 12. Tel: +229 2131 4033.

Customs officers are located at the harbour.

..... Document Copies 1. Crew List 7 2. Passenger List 7 3. Stowaway List 7 4. Tobacco/Spirits (bonded stores) 4 5. Ship's Provisions 2 6. Weapons and ammunitions 7 7. Dangerous Cargo 7 8. Animals List 7 9. Narcotics 4 10. Health Documents or Certificate 2 11. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate 2 12. Personal Effects 2 13. Bill of Lading 1 14. Manifest of goods in transit (by agent) - 15. Manifest of goods to be unloaded (by agent) -

Should be sent 48 hours in advance, (before noon of preceding day if arriving on Sunday or a public holiday) via the agent. Dangerous Cargo: Notice of 48 hours should be given to the harbour authorities with the manifests and the documentation relating to the dangerous cargo by specifying the classes, quantity and the consignees.

The flag of Benin should be flown when berthing.

On berthing and on closing down of radio, vessel should inform port control. A request must be made to the harbour master, at least 3 hours prior to any movement of a vessel, and before 1830hrs for any night movement.

Pratique arranged on arrival. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates issued.