The Autonomous Port of Dakar has granted, since 9 October 2026, a three-month exemption from the costs of shopping, demurrage and holding on Malian goods on hold. The measure also provides for a 60-day holding allowance for new containers, with certain exclusions.

The Autonomous Port of Dakar (PAD) has decided to temporarily cancel the costs of shopping, demurrage and detention applied to the Malian goods in its enclosure.

Announced on 13 October by the Malian Council of Shippers (CMC), this measure entered into force on 9 October for a period of three months. It follows negotiations between Senegalese port actors and the Malian consular chambers, conducted with the support of the CMC.

The device excludes refrigerated containers as well as goods which are to be loaded under pallets. For containers delivered during the period of application, the period of exemption from holding shall be increased to 60 days.

The CMC calls on economic operators and freight forwarders to speed up the removal of the relevant containers and the evacuation of the new goods in order to avoid the rebuilding of the stocks on hold at port.

A comparable measure had been applied at the end of 2025. According to the data then provided by the CMC, the number of Malian containers detained at DP World at the port of Dakar had increased from 2,086 on 26 November to 939 on 22 December.

A deadline of 20 February 2026 had been set to complete their evacuation. The new exemption comes as the fluidity of port operations and the return of empty containers remain challenges for Malian operators and carriers.