My Job as a Port Officer at the Port Authority of Cotonou

As a sworn officer in the Ship Pilotage Department and representative of the Port Captain, I coordinate all activities related to trade from the Harbour Master’s Office, ensuring strict compliance with all general and specific regulations relating to the policing and operation of the Port, the quays and the Seaports Code.

With the power to issue injunctions and take action, my role is essential in the exercise of the various special policing measures that apply in the port (navigation, buoyage, hazardous materials, enclosed areas, etc.).

To ensure that the port authority remains in place, my duties, under the supervision of the Head of the Ship Pilotage Department and the Harbour Master, are to ensure that the Port’s Operating and Police Regulations are rigorously applied in terms of

• application of the ISPS code and participation in security missions ;
• the placement and scheduling of ships in accordance with the identification card, in collaboration with the Consignees;
• the processing and transmission of ships’ port of call documents;
• coordinating assistance to vessels in danger or distress, French Navy vessels or foreign warships;
• coordinating ship escort operations, sealing and unsealing weapons and ammunition on board ships arriving with EAPE;
• coordinating operations to take on Beninese marines for ships that have to anchor to ensure their safety at sea;
• participating alongside the local authorities in all operations relating to port security;
• monitoring and regulatory management of hazardous materials in the port;
• intervening in port policing matters;
• carrying out internal collaboration tasks with other port services;
• taking action to prevent and combat water pollution;
• land and sea surveillance to protect the integrity of port facilities and ships in port; and
• disseminating information on port activities.

My objective is to ensure the permanence of the port authority while managing the calls of ships in accordance with the port operating and police regulations and ensuring open collaboration between the harbour master’s office and internal and external stakeholders.

Interview by Fulgence Zinsou – Correspondent for Maritimafrica in Benin