In Benin, container unstuffing for Nigeria moved to Djèffa

The measure initially targets 20-foot containers transiting via Igolo or Kraké. Some 40-foot loads also follow this new route.

By Sékou Camara · 6 November 2026 · 1 min read

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Traffic in Houéyiho, Cotonou, on 12 March 2020. Archive photo: Azogbonon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Autonomous Port of Cotonou is requiring, from 5 November 2026, the gradual transfer to Djèffa of the unstuffing of 20-foot containers in transit to Nigeria via Igolo or Kraké. The note, signed on 4 November, designates this customs-bonded logistics platform as the processing site.

40-foot containers remain temporarily unstuffed within the port area, unless they appear on the same bills of lading as the 20-foot containers concerned. In that case, they must also move to Djèffa.

This reorganisation builds on efforts to ease congestion. Marina BJ notes that the port had launched an emergency plan in December 2025, then announced new measures in January 2026 to deal with containers still awaiting unstuffing.

The stated aim is to free up terminals and streamline port operations. The Port Operations Directorate must ensure the measure is applied in consultation with the Directorate General of Customs.

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