Created on 27th March 1969, Soci�t� B�ninoise des Manutentions Portuaires (SOBEMAP) is a commercial company whose mission is to conduct goods handling, Clearing/Forwarding, Customs and any other related operations at the Cotonou Port.

Such operations include On-board handling �Handling on land - Transhipment � Goods Reception, Security and Delivery�, Positioning, warehousing, Grouping and Sorting of containers.

On-board handling ( conventional RORO, containers, craquiers etc. ) involves loading or off-loading a vessel .

Transhipment (on-board/land ; land /on-board ; vessel/vessel ; on-board/ on-board) involves moving goods from one vessel to another.

Handling on land: also called "clearing and forwarding" involves the use of another transportation means to move goods from the under-hoist of vessels to the warehouse and/or reservation strip.

 Reception, Security and delivery of goods

Positioning, Warehousing, Grouping and Separating of containers

Positioning involves moving the container from the container park to the warehousing area.

Warehousing of a container involves opening the container and off-loading its content for delivery  to the customer.

Grouping  a container involves putting goods belonging to different customers in one container.

Sorting a container involves separating the goods that were formerly packed together in the same container according to their ports of destination 

Machine and labour rental

Cleaning and small repairs on containers

It should be noted that just before the liberalisation of the ports handling sector, SOBEMAP embarked on the diversification of its activities. Thus, since 1997, it has been providing customs declaration and goods lifting operations for itself and o behalf of third parties both at the port and the airport.

SOBEMAP has also received the authorisation to conduct shipping consignment activities in December 2002.  It s first vessel berthed at Cotonou port on 4th June 2003.

With a well-organised working system and competent, experience, motivated and well-disposed staff, SOBEMAP provides quality services every time.