Morocco’s main port operator Marsa Maroc has taken on a delegated management contract for two terminals at Benin’s Cotonou Port, according to a statement (pdf) published last week. Marsa Maroc was chosen in an international selection process led by Benin Manutentions SA, and an operating agreement will be signed “shortly.”

What we know: Marsa Maroc will operate Terminals 1 and 5 at the port and will leverage its relationship with leading shipping companies to boost performance at the port and develop resilient logistics corridors in the region. The investment ticket and timeframe for the contract have not been disclosed.

More about the port: Cotonou Port handles 526k TEUs of container traffic a year as of 2022, according to a Logistics Cluster report. The port handles approximately 436k metric tons of bulk cargo and 2,9 mn metric tons of break bulk cargo. Terminal 1 is the general cargo pier, while Terminal 5 is the South Container Terminal.

Why is this significant? Cotonou Port serves as a key transit gateway to West Africa’s landlocked countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, according to the report. The port also includes a freezone used by these landlocked countries, mostly Niger. The port city generates key trade and logistics activity for Benin.

Keeping our eyes on Benin: Benin’s government is working with bilateral and multilateral partners to evaluate the development of a second deep terminal, dubbed Seme, which would be located between Cotonou and the Nigerian border, according to the report. Cotonou already acts as a relay port for the Nigerian market.

Background: Benin’s Cotonou Port inked a 25-year concession agreement with France’s Bollore group subsidiary Societe de Manutention du Terminal a Conteneurs de Cotonou (SMTC) for the building and operation of its South Wharf Container Terminal in 2009, according to an International Finance Corporation (IFC) report (pdf). The port looked to international operators, as it was being held back from being a key trade hub by high shipping costs, a lack of efficiency, and underfunded logistics facilities.

Marsa Maroc making moves: Marsa Maroc inked a 25-year concession agreement last month with Nador West Med (NWM) for the NWM Eastern Container Terminal. The port operator will invest EUR 200 mn in developing the first phase of the terminal, which is expected to be operational by 2027. Marsa Maroc currently manages 24 terminals at 10 ports, handling some 57 mn tonnes in 2023.

Tags: