Cotonou (Bénin), Bolloré Africa Logistics wins a 25 year concession for the container terminal at the port.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Following an international invitation to tender involving three leading port logistics operators, the government of Benin allocated a 25-year concession to operate the future container terminal of Cotonou port to Bolloré Africa Logistics. The Bolloré Africa Logistics operation has two major objectives, as follows:
1) Turn Cotonou into one of the most important transit ports in the Gulf of Guinea, so that it acts as a springboard for the neighbouring countries of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad ;
2) Boost Cotonou’s position as the second port of Lagos, in order to meet the expected growth in Nigeria.
Bolloré Africa Logistics aims to increase container traffic in Cotonou from the current 312.000 TEUs1 in 2008 to 1 million TEUs by 2030.
Bolloré Africa Logistics’ offer is based on an investment program covering not only development of the South Terminal with yard surfacing and handling equipment but construction of dry land ports at Parakou, Sèmè and Dosso, which is designed to boost trade heading for Niger, North Nigeria and Lagos.
From the start of the concession, the project will lead to some half thousand new jobs and involve a major training program for the employees.
Dominique Lafont, CEO of Bolloré Africa Logistics commented: "We are proud of the trust of the Beninese authorities. Following the launch phase, Cotonou will serve as a platform for our customers to better supply a region in West and Central Africa with a population of nearly 180 millions people". :
Press contacts :
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Michel Calzaroni
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Euro RSCG C&O
Paul Michon
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+33 1 58 47 95 18
Agathe Coustaux
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+33 1 58 47 95 35