The Autonomous Port of Cotonou (PAC) is processing container pickups in just 36 to 72 hours, a turnaround that stands out sharply against the severe congestion paralysing several neighbouring West African maritime hubs.
The headline figure: 36 to 72 hours
At a time when vessels at some regional ports wait six weeks to two months at sea before berthing, Cotonou keeps its anchorage waiting time for containers between 36 and 72 hours. The figure was confirmed by Charles Bennett Fayomi, Director of Port Operations and Security, during the PAC Media Connect gathering in early October 2026, where he presented a comparative review of commercial activity.
Congestion elsewhere runs at double capacity
Several coastal facilities in the sub-region are operating at 200% to 250% of their nominal saturation levels. Cotonou, by contrast, sits at roughly 100%—a gap that translates directly into shorter queues and faster cargo release.
“There are ports right now where ships stay immobilised for a month at sea without operators being able to touch their goods. Here, we manage to hold the line,” Fayomi said.
A pressure valve for regional trade
What makes the performance more striking is that it comes while the port is in the middle of an expansion programme. By absorbing freight diverted from saturated neighbouring ports, Cotonou has positioned itself as a strategic logistics alternative for West African commerce.
Controlled costs for operators
Rising volumes put constant pressure on handling chains, but port authorities say the financial burden on economic operators remains contained. PAC states that ancillary fees and late-payment penalties are kept among the lowest on the regional market, preserving the competitiveness of the Beninese corridor.