Hapag-Lloyd has announced the opening of a new office in Cotonou, Benin, as the German container shipping major accelerates efforts to expand its footprint across the growing West African market. The office is scheduled to begin operations on May 20 and will provide direct local support to customers in Benin through a dedicated regional presence.
The company said Benin is emerging as an increasingly important logistics and trade market in West Africa, supported by ongoing infrastructure investments, economic growth, and trade facilitation measures. The Port of Cotonou serves as a critical gateway for cargo moving into Benin as well as neighbouring landlocked countries such as Niger and Burkina Faso, strengthening the country’s role as a regional logistics hub.
Hapag-Lloyd said the new office will help improve customer responsiveness, strengthen relationships with regional partners, and offer tailored shipping and logistics solutions aligned with local market requirements. The carrier has previously managed Benin operations through its wider West African network, with Cotonou playing an important role in connecting regional trade to global shipping routes.
Jesper Kanstrup, Managing Director Sub-Region Africa at Hapag-Lloyd, said the Benin expansion forms part of the company’s broader “Strategy 2030” growth plans for Africa. The carrier has been actively restructuring and expanding its African operations over the past year to strengthen regional coverage and improve service capabilities across the continent.
Industry analysts said West Africa is becoming an increasingly attractive market for global shipping lines due to rising intra-African trade, infrastructure development, and growing demand for containerized cargo services. Shipping companies are also seeking stronger regional networks to capture trade linked to mining, agriculture, consumer goods, and project cargo movements across the continent.
