Crew change rules relaxed

30 Jun 2020 / Benin

The Benin Government has relaxed the rules slightly to permit crew changes for vessels making commercial port calls alongside at Cotonou, under strict conditions.

The following conditions must be met:

  • The vessel must have commercial operations at Cotonou port and must be alongside in the port
  • Joiners must prove a negative COVID-19 test result – copies of the test result to be provided to the port authorities before embarkation is allowed
  • Off-signers have two options:
    1) if booked on a direct flight to leave Benin the same day as disembarkation, they will be transported direct from the port to the airport
    2) if the flight is a different day, a COVID-19 must be done and the off-signers will be isolated in a hotel at their own cost awaiting the result before being allowed to leave

A COVID-19 test is compulsory for all travellers arriving at Contonou airport and is charged on arrival at €153. Results are available after two consecutive working days.

Flights remain very limited with only Air France to Paris (3 flights per week) offering flights to/from Cotonou this week, all subject to last minute changes and final Government approval.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Benin, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at [email protected])

Source: OMA Benin – GAC agent

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