Douala Port Authority launches works on quay, mixed bulk terminal.

Several members of government, administrators, business actors and traditional rulers attended the event. 

Dion Ngute said the project like that of the Dibamba Industrial Port Complex whose foundation stone he also laid earlier, is part of President Biya’s drive to build a united and prosperous country.

He congratulated stakeholders in the port sector for working together to ensure that the Douala Port Authority remains the most competitive and attractive in the Gulf of Guinea.

Dion Ngute recalled the historic significance of the event venue to the history of Cameroon from the 19th century with the signing of the Germano-Douala treaty, to the forming of the Sawa traditional cultural festival.

Dion Ngute noted that the location of PAD in such a diversified region, merits all of government's push to unleash its capacity as reference in the Sub region.

The Prime Minister underscored that, the Port’s potential cannot be fully realized without a profound modernisation of infrastructures. 

Such, he said, is needed to improve technical performance, particularly through the streamlining of loading and unloading operations, reducing turnaround times, and optimizing logistics chains.

Dion Ngute noted that: "These advances significantly impact the reduction of transit costs. These costs are presented as a determining factor in a port's attractiveness to ship owners, shippers, and logistics investors”.

Going by the Prime Minister, modern and efficient infrastructure favour “regional economic integration in a context where our leaders are resolutely committed to implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area".

In terms of competitiveness, he said ports equipped with modern infrastructures can better meet international standards in security, sustainability, and digitalization. 

On such bases, Dion Ngute stated that with such investment, PAD is positioning itself favourably in the competitive market, attracting more regular shipping lines while stimulating industrialisation and job creation at the local level.

PAD DG on FCFA 282 billion project

Speaking at the event, the Director General, DG, of PAD, Cyrus Ngo'o, said the project is developed through a Public-Private Partnership, PPP with Africa Ports Development, APD. He stated that the project will be financed to the tune of 282 billion FCFA.

Cyrus Ngo’o noted that it follows a Build-Operate-Transfer, BOT, model, ensuring both private sector investment and long-term public control over vital infrastructure. 

Cyrus Ngo'o thanked the financial institutions that have supported PAD in raising money for the project. He said the project is strategically designed to handle increasing volumes of mineral and agri-bulk cargo.

He explained that, the terminal will serve both national and sub-regional needs, with a particular focus on landlocked neighboring countries like Chad and the Central African Republic. 

The first quay, he said, is scheduled for completion in 2028, paving the way for full-scale industrial operations on site. 

Cyrus Ngo’o noted that the project response accurately to the issues of space shortage that has been hindering the port’s effective performance.

Wissam Dakour El Aridi of African Port Development said the project will be realised on land spanning 36 hectares. He said the terminal will include 900 linear meters of quay, that will create berths 53, 54, and 55 metres. These, he said, will increase annual traffic to 8 million tonnes by 2030. 

Wissam added that a 36-hectare platform will be developed for storage and parking units with a capacity of 120,000 tonnes of bulk connected to conveyor belts.

Wissam mentioned that there will be two administrative buildings of 3,000 square metres, two maintenance workshops of 3,250 square metres, two storage warehouses of 3,000 and 12,500 square metres, and measurement stations to assess flows.

Additionally, the APD official explained that the infrastructure will also have a fire-fighting center, an electricity supply station, a road network, a rainwater and wastewater collection network.

Wissam also stated that, the plant will have light treatment facilities, a navigation unit that could serve as a bacon to the Cameroon Petroleum Depot Company, SCDP, as a structuring project. 

The future mixed terminal on the right bank of the Wouri, he added, is expected to produce major spinoffs for the Cameroonian economy. 

He detailed that the two phases combined amount to 282 billion FCFA while the construction and operation of the terminal will create over 4,000 direct jobs. 

Within the 25-year period of operation, Wissam stated that the State is projected to reap 258 billion FCFA in taxes and duties while PAD will get 4.2 billion FCFA in operation royalties. The first Quay is expected to be delivered in 2028.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3517 of Monday July 28, 2025