Grande-Benin Vessel Reviews and Specifications

In a groundbreaking operation, German customs officials have intercepted 4.5 tons of cocaine concealed within 211 sports bags aboard the vessel 'Grande Benin' during its stay in Hamburg from July 14 to July 16, 2019. The intercepted shipment, consisting of 4,200 packages of compressed cocaine, had embarked on its journey from Montevideo, Uruguay, en route to Antwerp, Belgium. Documentation associated with the ship misleadingly indicated a cargo of soybeans. This monumental seizure constitutes the largest drug bust in German history, with an estimated street value of around $1 billion, delivering a significant blow to ongoing drug trafficking operations. Following strict safety protocols, the confiscated narcotics were subsequently destroyed. The scandal also led to the resignation of Uruguay's National Director of Customs, Enrique Canon, on August 1, amidst revelations tied to the ship. This incident was not isolated; it followed another seizure in which approximately 600 kilograms of cocaine were illicitly transported on a private flight from Carrasco International Airport in Uruguay. Investigators noted that customs checks for outgoing cargo were not sufficiently rigorous during both operations. The 'Grande Benin' had docked in Montevideo between June 12 and June 19, where it is believed the drugs were loaded onto the vessel. This case underscores the urgent need for enhanced cargo monitoring to prevent further drug trafficking incidents.

The cargo vessel Grande Benin (IMO 9343170) has been anchored at Lomé Port for nearly nine days following a malfunction in its main engine after successfully unloading its auto cargo. The Grimaldi Group, alongside its agency in Lomé, is currently taking proactive measures to resolve the issue by arranging air transfers for the crew and ordering vital spare parts. Experts are also expected to arrive shortly for the replacement job, a process that comes with substantial costs. Meanwhile, clients are anxiously awaiting the Grande Benin's arrival at Luanda Port in Angola, where they have been left in limbo due to the vessel's unforeseen delays.