Cotonou Direct International Shipping,llc

02/22/2026

Dear Customer,

Due to the expected inclement weather and winter storm conditions, the following terminals will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026:

Baltimore

Wilmington

Port Newark Auto Terminal

Red Hook Terminal (Brooklyn)

Port Newark

Normal operations are expected to resume once weather conditions improve and it is safe to do so. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Please plan your pickups and deliveries accordingly.

Thank you for your understanding.

Cotonou-Direct International Shipping

FMC Licensed NVOCC specializing in shipping vehicles, containers, and cargo from the U.S. to West Africa, Europe, and major global ports. Trusted export partner with weekly departures and dedicated support.

10/01/2024

Dear valued customer,

As you are all aware, the ILA strike will commence October 1st, 2024, at 0001. Even though this is a coast wise strike from Maine to Texas, there appears to be a few locations which may continue to work. Please note the following terminal status; we will keep you informed of any change or development.

Providence – We have been advised that currently the Providence local are not planning on striking as from Oct 1st. This is subject to change. Currently cargo receiving and vessel operations will be working until further notice.

Davisville – We have been advised that currently the Davisville local are not planning on striking as from October 1st. This is subject to change.
////// ILA Strike Update - Terminal Status \\\\
New York – All activities suspended as from October 1st. No receiving or stevedoring operations.

Baltimore – All activities suspended as from October 1st. No receiving or stevedoring operations.

Wilmington – TransCargo is non- union. Cargo receiving will remain open until further notice.

Brunswick - As per local no container and roro vessels will be worked.

Jacksonville – Amports cargo receiving is non-union. Cargo receiving will remain open until further notice. As per local no container and roro vessels will be worked.

Freeport Amports – Amports uses ILA labor for receiving. Currently expected to remain open for cargo receiving until further notice. Currently RoRo and Container vessels will be worked.

Freeport Velasco – Ports America advised that container receiving is expected to remain open. Currently RoRo and Container vessels will be worked.

09/19/2024

Dear Valued Customer,


As you may already know, on October 1, 2024, there is the potential that the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) workers union will strike at all US East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. A strike will impact every port and terminal, both container and RORO operations, and may cause disruptions and delays to both cargo receiving and loading operations.

While both the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are engaged in negotiations to avoid a strike, the outcome remains uncertain.

We are hopeful that all parties come to a resolution soon and no strike will occur, but please note that these disruptions are completely outside of our control and any storage costs arising from the delays due to a potential strike would be the responsibility of the shipper.
We are committed to providing the best service possible and process your shipments in the timeliest manner.

Please stay tuned as we will provide additional updates as they become available.

Today marks two weeks till the likely first day of a crippling strike for containers and Ro-Ro traffic at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports as the Inter...

02/29/2024

Dear Customer,

Please take note of a short update on the Niger border situation as per below:

Following the decision of the heads of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift sanctions against Niger, Benin immediately opened its border with the country neighbor as of yesterday. However, on the Niger side, the barriers remained, and the border remains closed. The Beninese government opened its border with Niger, hours after ECOWAS announced the lifting of sanctions against Niger and other countries the past Saturday. The effectiveness of this border opening was noted on the side of Malanville, the border town between Benin and Niger. Containers and concrete blocks still prevent any passage between Benin and Niger in the bridge of Malanville.

Despite above means there’s no cargo transiting from Benin to Niger, from customs Beninese side it is no longer a problem to declare a cargo as ‘In transit Niger’ if for commercial reasons is being required.

On top of above, during a meeting organized by the Togolese Minister of Maritime Affaires held in Lomé last Friday, it was announced a full support to Niger for cargo transiting via Lomé port to this country. It was confirmed at the same time that an armed convoy will es**rt all cargo in transit from Ouagadougou to Niger border on fortnightly basis.

We will keep monitoring the situation and keep you informed.

01/11/2024

Dear Valued Clients,

This is a reminder of carrier announcement.
We will no longer accept certain Hyundai Kia models for RORO & Containers for risk of fire as per Hyundai Kia recall.

Hyundai Santa Cruz model years 2022-2023 (Recall #2023-147)
Hyundai Santa Fe model years 2019-2023 (Recall # 2023-147)
Santa Fe Hybrid model years 2021-2023 (Recall #2023-147)
Santa Fe Plug In Hybrid model years 2022-2023 (Recall #2023-147)
Kia Carnival model years 2022-2023 (Recall # 2023-149)

12/17/2023

MSC PALATIUM III INCIDENT IN RED SEA – REROUTING SUEZ TRAFFIC TO CAPE

On 15 December 2023 the container ship MSC PALATIUM III was attacked at approximately 09.37 UTC while transiting the Red Sea under sub charter to Messina Line. All crew are safe with no reported injuries, meanwhile the vessel suffered limited fire damage and has been taken out of service.
Due to this incident and to protect the lives and safety of our seafarers, until the Red Sea passage is safe, MSC ships will not transit the Suez Canal Eastbound and Westbound. Already now, some services will be rerouted to go via the Cape of Good Hope instead.
This disruption will impact the sailing schedules by several days of vessels booked for Suez transit. We ask for your understanding under these serious circumstances.
Should you have any questions, please contact your local MSC representatives.

04/24/2022

R

03/02/2022