September 26, 2020: Benin Terminal, the operator of the Port de Cotonou container terminal, took delivery of two new gantries on September 20. The new equipment will serve to improve the productivity of Benin Terminal, boost the country’s competitiveness and bolster trade in West Africa.

With a lifting capacity of 40 tonnes each, the ultra-modern gantries will improve container storage capacity at the terminal, increase the pace of deliveries and reduce handling times for goods at Benin Terminal.

Financed by Benin Terminal to the tune of 2.1 billion CFA francs (€3.2 million), the two yard gantries, built by Konecranes, will strengthen the stevedoring capacities of the Benin Terminal container terminal.

Yann Magarian, managing director, Benin Terminal, said, “Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Benin Terminal is pursuing its programme of investments and continues to modernise its port activities at the autonomous Port of Cotonou. We now have 12 yard gantries. The new equipment will make our stevedoring operations even more seamless and improve service quality for our shipping company and consignee customers.”

The container terminal has become a regional logistics hub for growth for Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. The investments have made Cotonou a more efficient, modern and attractive port that contributes to the economic development of Benin.