Benin: Minister José Tonato visits the Port of Cotonou to inspect dredging work
On Saturday 17 February 2024, Mr José Tonato, Benin’s Minister for the Environment and Transport, in charge of Sustainable Development, visited the Port of Cotonou as part of his monitoring of the port’s renovation work, in particular the maintenance dredging work currently underway. Accompanied by Mr Bart VAN EENOO, Director General of PAC, Mrs Sandrine Platteau, Belgium’s Ambassador to Benin, and a number of executives, the Minister was able to see and appreciate the dredging process through the ship’s system, the navigation operation of the dredger and the exploration of the engine and pump room.
With a view to extending the Port of Cotonou, the port basin is undergoing logistical modernisation. The dredging process consists of maintaining the access channel, the turning radius and the inner basin of the port. In other words, the dredging process consists of cleaning the port by removing sedimentation in the entrance channel, the basin and before the quays, as this sedimentation endangers the fluidity of navigation. The dredging process also involves extending the basin and rebuilding all the quays to a depth of -16 m, which will enable the basin to accommodate large ships over 300 m long and give them more room to manoeuvre. Maintaining the waterways at navigable depths is therefore essential.
The inspection visit gave the Minister an opportunity not only to commend the work done by the executive team, but also to make some observations and give some technical instructions during the discussions. He also encouraged the various technicians in charge of the work to redouble their determination and discipline to ensure that the contractual deadline was met.
Under the guidance of DEME, a global provider of sustainable solutions in the marine environment, these dredging operations are sure to be a success. It goes without saying that, thanks to the various works in progress, notably the construction of new infrastructures such as the dredging area, the turning area, the buildings, etc., the Port of Cotonou will soon have a new look, reinforcing its crucial role as a hub for regional trade.
