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CotonouBJ COO

(Appi; Kentou; Kotonu)

MediumCoastal (Breakwater)Bight of Benin; Gulf of Guinea; North Atlantic Ocean

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UNLOCODEBJ COO

Water BodyBight of Benin; Gulf of Guinea; North Atlantic Ocean

SizeMedium

TypeCoastal (Breakwater)

Channel Depth11 m

Lat6.3500

Lng2.4333

Classificationgateway_202606

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Last updated: 24 June 2026

About This Seaport

Run by Africa Global Logistics (AGL, formerly Bolloré), the container terminal at Cotonou (BJ COO) anchors one of West Africa's key transit gateways for the landlocked Sahel. The port handles roughly 90 percent of Benin's foreign trade and feeds onward corridors to Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad. Container throughput reached about 650,000 TEU recently, and an ongoing expansion is lengthening the quay to around 1,100 metres to lift capacity toward 1 million TEU by 2026. Transit cargo benefits from a free zone aimed chiefly at Niger, plus an inland dry port at Allada some 40 km from the quays. The traffic is volatile, though: Nigeria once supplied around 80 percent of transit volumes, but border closures since 2023 have badly disrupted those flows. Hinterland movement relies mostly on trucking along the north–south corridors, as competitive rail links are largely absent. Shippers seeking alternatives look to Lomé in Togo, with its transshipment terminal, and to Tema (Ghana) and Lagos (Nigeria).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cotonou?▼

The UN/LOCODE of Cotonou is BJ COO. This international code identifies ports and logistics locations worldwide.

Where is the port of Cotonou located?▼

The port of Cotonou is located in Benin (Bight of Benin; Gulf of Guinea; North Atlantic Ocean).

What is the size of the port Cotonou?▼

Cotonou is a Medium harbor of type Coastal (Breakwater).

What is the channel depth of Cotonou?▼

The channel depth of Cotonou is 11 meters.

Location & Weather

6.35000, 2.43333

Channel depth: 11 m

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The information on this page is based on publicly available transport and infrastructure data. The logistics significance of a location may change. All information without warranty.

About This Seaport

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cotonou?▼

The UN/LOCODE of Cotonou is BJ COO. This international code identifies ports and logistics locations worldwide.

Where is the port of Cotonou located?▼

The port of Cotonou is located in Benin (Bight of Benin; Gulf of Guinea; North Atlantic Ocean).

What is the size of the port Cotonou?▼

Cotonou is a Medium harbor of type Coastal (Breakwater).

What is the channel depth of Cotonou?▼

The channel depth of Cotonou is 11 meters.