• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
The Autonomous Port of Cotonou is undergoing a metamorphosis to become a key logistics hub in West Africa. Thanks to the port basin expansion and quay renovation project, totaling over USD 200 million, PAC is taking a decisive step in modernizing its infrastructure.
This project is strategic for the platform in more ways than one, as its objective is to accommodate large vessels over 300 meters in length with a draft exceeding 15 meters, increase the port platform's cargo capacity, improve the flow of activities, and strengthen the competitiveness of the Port of Cotonou.
Driven by the commitment of the institution's teams, this massive investment illustrates the ambition of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou: to offer world-class services, boost the national economy, and strengthen Benin's competitiveness in internal corridors.
The project for the expansion of the dock basin and renovation of the quays consists of several structures to be built. It primarily involves extending the existing dock basin westward over an area of approximately five hectares and creating new quays – about 154 meters of new quay to the north and the same distance of new site to the south – as well as renovating all the old northern quays built in the 1980s, covering approximately 1,400 meters.
"The main objectives of the dock basin expansion and quay development project are to widen the quays to accommodate more berths, therefore more ships for the Port of Cotonou, as well as deeper quays of 16 meters in the north and 15 in the south to be able to accommodate larger and heavier vessels, such as 353-meter Post-Panamax container ships, as well as 240-meter bulk carriers," explained Jean-Baptiste Trouille, head of PAC's Port Infrastructure Department.
"The difficulty lies in carrying out the work while maintaining port operations without interruption, so that the port can continue to generate revenue. That is one of the main challenges," added Trouille.
Since February, the consortium has been working on an approximate length of 500 meters to renovate structures. The work consists of the renovation of several technical structures. On one side, there is the combined sheet pile wall, meaning the metal piles, pillars, and steel beams that are connected to the reinforced concrete piles at the back of the quay.
Then, there is a section for the construction of the reinforced concrete beams that will support the gantry cranes for containers. And finally, everything related to fire hydrants, drinking water supply, electricity, and a road that will allow the passage of trucks and mobile port cranes for use with containers or as bulk cargo.
