To promote national unity, boost operations: Douala Port acquires, christens new vessels after Foncha, Endeley.

The exercise was done in the presence of the Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Messina Ngale Bibehe.

North West Governor, Adolphe Lele l’Afrique, and his counterpart of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, also attended the event. The Regional Assembly presidents of the North West and the South West Regions also attended the event. Descendants of Foncha and Endeley alongside traditional rulers lived the event.

Speaking during the event, the Director General of PAD, Cyrus Ngo’o, said the acquisition of the vessels falls in line with the corporation’s modernisation agenda.

He said PAD is rejuvenating its fleet in line with its agenda to upgrade infrastructure and equipment. Cyrus Ngo’o said PAD acquired the vessels from renowned shipyard company, Damen.

The acquisitions, Ngo’o said, is in line with PAD’s gradual takeover and control of multiple segments of the Port’s operations. The primary goal, Ngo’o restated, is to improve service quality and efficiency, while enhancing the competitiveness.

He explained that when such aspects of PAD were under concession, towing services faced major operational difficulties as most equipment were outdated. For 15 years, Cyrus Ngo’o said the activity never achieved any financial gains.

When PAD took over on January 2, 2021, Cyrus Ngo’o said the Company’s Board of Directors created a unique unit to handle vessels.  

The unit, he said, inherited five old tugboats viz; L’IROISE, 59 years; TATURRI, 52 years, LE COCO 43 years; Rudolf Douala Manga Bell, 27 years, and PERFORMANCE, 22 years.

Given the old nature of the fleet, Cyrus Ngo’o said performance was compromised. The GM said in such a situation, PAD opted to renew the fleet.

New era as vessels go into use 

According to Cyrus Ngo’o, the putting into use of the new vessels will improve towing services, ensure safer and efficient navigation for ships entering and exiting the Port.

PAD management, he insisted, is committed to delivering on government’s directives to modernise all Port operations.

Honouring national heroes

The naming of the vessels after Emmanuel Mbela Lifafa Endeley and John Ngu Foncha, transport Minister said, ties with President Biya’s vision to honour those who were characters in the country’s journey to independence and reunification.

By naming the vessels after Foncha and Endeley, he said PAD is linking the modernization of maritime operations to the remembrance of history and connecting it to its political future.

Dr Emmanuel Mbela Lifafa Endeley, born in Buea in 1916, was a medical doctor and the first Prime Minister of West Cameroon. 

He played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and autonomy of today’s North West and South Regions   during the colonial era.

Similarly, John Ngu Foncha, born in 1916 in Nkwen, Bamenda, was a teacher and influential politician during the colonial and post-colonial era.

He advocated the independence and Reunification of Cameroon. Foncha also served as Prime Minister of West Cameroon.

Manufacturer on vessels’ strength

The Regional Director for Africa Damen Shipyard, Jan Vandervorm, said tugboats are of the Azimuth Stern Drive ASD 3010 class are known for their power and agility

This, he said, includes the vessels capacity to navigate in tight spaces with high precision. He outlined technical features of the vessels underlining both their strength and versatility.

Each tugboat, Vandervorm said, measures approximately 30 meters in length and 10 meters in width. He explained that they are  powered by

two Caterpillar 3516 PHA engines, delivering a combined output of 5,550 horsepower, with a bollard pull of 60 tonnes. He assured that the vessels are among the most powerful in their class.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3514 of Friday July 25, 2025