We were honoured to have the presence and contributions of our Group CEO, Mr. Gerrit Van Der Merwe, whose insights and leadership continue to inspire us all. The event’s success was a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines our group, showcasing the collective effort of every participant.

This year’s meeting focused on crafting our future by discussing strategies, setting goals, and engaging in meaningful dialogue about the path forward. Through a series of thematic sessions, workshops, open discussions, and even fun games, this created an ambiance filled with memorable moments, laughter, and, admittedly, a bit of pain as some challenges proved tough. Yet, it was the prevailing team spirit and a competitive yet fun mindset that carried us through to the end.

The different themes explored during the meeting, coupled with interactive workshops and open discussions, allowed us to dive deep into the complexities and opportunities within our industry. The inclusion of fun games helped break the ice, foster teamwork, and create an atmosphere where ideas could flow freely, ensuring that every moment was not only educational but also enjoyable.

As we reflect on the success of this gathering, we were reminded of the power of unity and shared vision. The discussions we had and the goals we have set pave the way for a future where we not only meet the challenges of the logistics industry but also redefine its standards.

This meeting was a reminder of what we can achieve together, and it’s with great anticipation that we look forward to the road ahead.

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Ben Line chartered the plane and OMA was granted special access to the terminal to allow us to oversee the discharge of the cables from the aircraft and from there, transport them safely to the airport warehouse.  The aircraft landed at 1500 hrs and the cables were promptly discharged and delivered to the warehouse within a two-hour framework.

Logistics Manager Bonaventure Atchedji commented: “The success and smooth running of this type of operation is mainly a result of applying the rules of planning and communication with all stakeholders.”

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Awards co-ordinator Katherine Benton commented:

“2020 marks the fifth year that MEA Markets Magazine has hosted the MEA Business Awards. It has also been one of the most challenging years the region has faced, with little in the way of precedence to guide solutions. In the circumstances businesses of all sizes found themselves in, this vast region’s entrepreneurial spirit took hold, acting as a guiding light when other options were lacking. It is with this in mind that we organised the 2020 awards.”

You can read the full article below here: Best Ship Agency & Logistics Business West Africa

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• + 2.4% for all port services during the port call (pilotage, towage, mooring, harbour dues, Fire brigade, ISPS, Security dues)
• + 2.4% on all cargo discharged
• + 4.8% for port domains rented to others stakeholders (stevedoring companies and others). Most probably stevedoring cost will be increased and it will be communicated as well.

Cotonou Port Authority Notification of Tariff Changes 09Dec20

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SAHFA International in Cotonou works to help promote education, eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, helping rural farmers, facilitating access to drinking water, reduce rural poverty and giving support to orphanages through donations.

In Ghana the Samaritan Home, Adidome and the Royal Seed Home both received gifts of food and essentials.

Les racines de l’espoir  is a humanitarian society in Dakar, Senegal whose mission is to help vulnerable or sick people including street children

In Lomé, Togo La Pouponniere is a charity that was close to the heart of OMA’s founder Captain Monty Jones.´

In Abidjan, the donations went to  DLS (Donnons-leur du sourire) (Let’s give them a smile) http://donnonsleurdusourire.ci/

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For the latest information on the virus in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Gambia, Mauritania and Nigeria.

Togo

Please, be informed that from March 3rd, all vessels calling at Lomé offshore and in the port must send the following documents at least 72 hours prior to arrival (in cases where this is not possible documents must be sent immediately on leaving the previous port of call.)

• Crew list must state crew embarkation port/Country and date.
• Maritime Declaration of Health
• Last 10 ports of call

Port Health will attend vessels coming from affected Countries, in order to disinfect the vessel first before any other persons embark to carry out their assigned jobs.

Last updated 3rd March 2020

Benin

COOBJ PORT PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST COVID-19

In the context of the sustainable fight against COVID-19 and the preservation of port users and workers health, Cotonou Port Authority informs that the appearance of the virus is a reality. Indeed, COVID-19 is a virus affecting humans as well as animals and causing acute respiratory infections to humans ranging from mild colds to severe pneumonias which can cause death. It can be transmitted from animal to human or from human to human by air, by inhalation of the volatile virus or in contact with secretions of contaminated objects. Cotonou port being a maritime border which is regularly used by several users and foreigners, the Cotonou Port Authority invites all it staff and users to implement the following preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection in the port.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or with hydro alcoholic gel;
• Avoid direct physical contact with sick people;
• Wear a mask or gloves if you go to densely populated areas (boarding formalities);
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the crook of your elbow before coughing or sneezing;
• Do not come into contact with objectively sick animals.
• Do not consume undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, raw foods (salads, fruits, raw vegetables) if you cannot be sure that they have been previously washed with decontaminated water;
• Avoid close unprotected contact with people having fever and cough and consult a doctor in case of fever, cough and breathing difficulties.

All port operators (stevedores, shipping agents, forwarding agents, transporters) are invited to implement the above measures in order to preserve the health of their staff and port users to avoid the horrors of this virus.

Last updated 2nd March 2020

Ivory Coast

As from January 29, 2020, before berthing, any vessels calling at Abidjan and San Pedro ports from countries affected by Coronovirus (Covid-19) will be subject to sanitary controls at anchorage by the department of the National Institute of Public Hygiene (INHP).

Visitors arriving by air or by sea from affected areas must complete two weeks of observed quarantine on arrival.

Notice from the port :CONTROLES SANITAIRES MARITIMES AU PAA COURRIER PAA 681 DU 5 FEVRIER 2020

Last updated 20th February 2020

Senegal

The Shipping Agent or Captain must inform the port authorities of the ETA and last port of call of any vessel. If a vessel is arriving from an affected area it will be held at anchorage for inspection and screening and to quarantine any affected crew.

It is our understanding that quarantine rules for the port are in the pipeline, but to date there are no official quarantine rules excepting that all vessels must transit through Dakar port before joining inland ports (Local Maritime Affairs Department).

Last updated 20th February 2020

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To obtain your Cargo Tracking Note, please apply to the approved agent for your country.  The link below has the contact details of all approved agents.  

For any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact OMA Benin 

BESC List of Agents

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All vessels calling at Cotonou port must appoint a licensed shipping agent.
The shipping agent must introduce the expected vessel 48 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival at Cotonou roads.   Any vessel arriving without being announced by its agent 48 hours in advance, should not anchor at Cotonou roads and must leave.
Two hours prior to arrival at Cotonou roads, the Master must introduce the vessel to Cotonou Port Control via VHF CH 14 or 16 for the exchange of arrival information.

If the dedicated berth is occupied, Cotonou port reserves the right to shift the vessel from anchorage to another free berth and back again when the original berth becomes free. All costs for this are for the vessel’s account to be paid by the shipping agent, owners or principals in line with Cotonou Port Authority regulations.

If all berths inside the port are occupied, the Cotonou signal station (Benin navy) will provide an anchoring position to the vessels unable to berth (which should remain on roads) and will deploy armed guards to secure those vessels.  If the Master refuses the armed guards, the vessel should inform Cotonou port control and leave Benin territorial waters.

Only vessels which have commercial operations at Cotonou port will be allowed to embark armed guards and drop anchor.
Armed guards are declared free of charge for vessels arriving at Cotonou which remain at anchorage awaiting berth availability and who have cargo operations inside the port.  The guards are compulsory and any vessel not accepting them will need to leave Cotonou roads.

Once a vessel has completed cargo operations, they should sail immediately to the next port.

For further information please contact OMA Benin

COTONOU PORT AUTHORITY NOTE FOR SHIPS SECURITY

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The project involved positioning specialist handling equipment and earth moving equipment to the sandy soil storage area where the pipes were laid and positioning 30+ 40ft containers to compact/solid area 500m from the pipes.

An excavator was used to extract the pipes out of the soil and carefully move them to the containers. Using wood runners inside the containers, the crane lifted each pipe while the excavator stowed them safely in the container. From there OMA transported the containers to the port, arranged customs clearance and loading on board the vessel. Excellent communication was needed between the forwarding client BDP Belgium (on behalf of the DME Group) and our liner agency client Hapag-Lloyd to ensure the smooth loading, delivery and onward shipment to Hamburg and Antwerp.

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