Cabotage service in Cameroon as a solution to transport goods
Strategic partnership to establish commercial ties between Cameroon’s two main ports is expected to strengthen their positions as they both have a critical role in the country’s economic growth.
CPCS revealed bigger economic opportunities for Cameroon while investigating the viability of a maritime transportation service between its two ports, Douala and Kribi.
Previous work by CPCS transportation experts in the development of Cameroon’s national transport policy gave this project greater depth.
After examining Cameroon’s supply chains, CPCS recommended that transportation of goods by boat between the two ports be formalized through a feedering service.
Establishing a feeder line has implications beyond immediate profitability of a given link because shipping companies evaluate the profitability of an entire rotation. For example, the distance from Shanghai to Kribi and Douala and not just one link such as Kribi – Douala.
In brief:
- Inter-port collaboration recommended as a strategic move for Cameroon’s two autonomous ports
- If the feedering agreement is implemented, it will improve the service and be an example of collaboration between two African ports
- Cameroon seeks to become a logistics hub in Central Africa
A solution for Cameroon’s economy
Inter-port collaboration is a strategy that CPCS sees more and more around the world.
CPCS supported a similar move between Cameroon’s two autonomous ports since competition is fierce in the Gulf of Guinea. It’s also an opportunity for the African country to maximize its investments in multimodal transportation projects.
Ultimately, this partnership is a lever to improve domestic and international trade through a stronger port network while positioning Cameroon as a central logistics hub for Central Africa.
The long-term benefits of establishing a durable maritime link are numerous. They include relieving pressure on the land transport network to reducing transport emissions and road accidents as well as urban congestion in Douala.
CPCS knows very well that countries around the world are struggling with these infrastructure challenges. It has completed numerous studies in the maritime and port field, ranging from the development of maritime and river transport plans to the development of short sea shipping network models.
What CPCS did
As part of its advisory services, CPCS developed a 4-step action plan:
- Officially declare the opening of the feeder market between Kribi and Douala
- Reframe the existing collaboration agreement between the port authorities of Kribi and Douala to support the diligent implementation of the feeder service
- Mitigate operational and administrative obstacles to the implementation of the feeder service by the agreement implementation
- Invite interested operators to position themselves
Learn more about this project: Les ports de Kribi et de Douala projettent la mise en place d’un cabotage spécifique aux bateaux internationaux (The ports of Kribi and Douala plan to set up a cabotage service for international vessels)
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