CONGO
$200 Million and a 30 Year Bet: AD Ports Is Building Congo's Port of the Future
A major step forward for port infrastructure in Central Africa: Abu Dhabi-based ports and logistics group AD Ports has awarded three contracts worth approximately AED 735 million — around USD 200 million — for the design, construction, and equipping of the Noatum Ports Pointe-Noire Terminal in the Republic of Congo. The contracts cover marine and landside infrastructure as well as sourcing of crane equipment, with construction expected to be completed within two years.
The terminal is being developed under a 30-year concession agreement with the Congolese government, extendable by a further 20 years. It is delivered through a joint venture with CMA CGM Group via its subsidiary CMA Terminals, bringing together two major players in global ports and container shipping. In its first phase, the terminal will feature a 420-metre quay at 16 metres depth, capable of accommodating Patagonia-class vessels, alongside a 100,000 square metre logistics area. The concession also grants AD Ports the right to develop additional multipurpose cargo capabilities as market demand evolves — an important provision that provides operational flexibility for the long term.
The projected economic impact is equally notable. The terminal is expected to generate up to 9,000 direct and indirect jobs across construction and operational phases — a meaningful contribution to local employment and a clear signal of sustained investor confidence in Congo's trade potential. For businesses sourcing or distributing goods through the region, this level of infrastructure investment translates into better port capacity, more competitive handling rates and improved overall service quality over the coming years.
For shipping lines, freight forwarders, and cargo operators active across West-Central Africa, Pointe-Noire is fast becoming a port that warrants close attention. As activity picks up, make sure your BESC certificate is in order before cargo moves: we've got you covered, just click here.
Sources: infomare.it | agenceecofin.com
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CHAD
Chad and Cameroon Finally Fix Their Busiest Trade Corridor
Cameroon and Chad signed a protocol agreement on 14 May 2026 in N'Djamena, committing to a significant overhaul of freight transit along the Douala–Kribi/N'Djamena corridor. The signing took place on the sidelines of the 5th tripartite forum of Chad, Cameroon & the Central African Republic, with Auguste Mbappe Penda of the Cameroon National Shippers' Council (CNSC) and Hamid Djoumino of the Chadian Shippers' Council (COC-Chad) as signatories, in the presence of the Director General of the Port Authority of Douala. The signing reflects the growing urgency both countries attach to improving logistics competitiveness along this strategic axis.
The agreement directly targets the friction points that have long penalized this corridor: redundant border controls, administrative delays and limited cargo visibility. In practical terms, it introduces interconnected information systems, electronic cargo tracking, simplified customs formalities and a shared digital platform for real-time operations monitoring & complaint management. These measures are designed to make the corridor more competitive, more transparent and more predictable for importers, exporters, transporters & freight forwarders operating on both sides of the border.
The economic stakes are considerable. For landlocked Chad, the Cameroonian corridor is a vital gateway to global maritime routes via the ports of Douala and Kribi. For Cameroon, Chadian transit freight generates an estimated 350 billion FCFA in annual revenue, making the corridor's efficiency a direct priority for port operators, customs authorities and the wider logistics chain. Both countries have a strong incentive to see this agreement translate into real, measurable improvements on the ground.
If it delivers on its ambitions, shippers & transporters can expect shorter transit times, better traceability and lower overall costs. For cargo moving along this corridor, a valid BESC certificate remains your first step to a smooth transit — and we make that happen!
Sources: investiraucameroun.com | cncc.cm
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CAMEROON
One Year, 82% Growth: The Rise of Kribi Can't Be Ignored
One year after its second container terminal entered service on 9 May 2025, the Port of Kribi has recorded a remarkable 82% surge in container traffic. Kribi Conteneurs Terminal (KCT) processed 750,000 TEUs over the past twelve months, up from 412,087 TEUs in the previous period. Regional transshipment drives around 70% of that volume, with containers redistributed to destinations including Angola, Nigeria, and other West African ports. The terminal also captures approximately 65% of all first-touch containers entering Cameroon before onward inland distribution — a strong indicator of Kribi's growing strategic importance in the sub-region.
The port is not stopping there. KCT Director General David Azra has announced an 8-hectare expansion set to begin in July 2026. Carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) — the same firm that built the deepwater port — and co-financed by KCT & the Port Authority of Kribi (PAK), the project will cost between 16.3 and 19.6 billion FCFA. It will raise static storage capacity from 24,000 to 34,000 TEUs, targeting 1.2 million TEUs in annual throughput by 2028.
Looking further ahead, a feasibility study is underway for one or two additional berths to handle future flows from the 4,500-hectare Kribi Port Industrial Zone (KPIZ), which will eventually include dedicated mineral and petroleum terminals. The port's ambition is clear: to serve not just as a container gateway, but as a full-scale industrial and logistics hub for the Central African region.
With over 370 port calls logged in the past year and Megamax vessels calling regularly, Kribi is firmly establishing itself as one of Central Africa’s leading logistics gateways. With volumes at Kribi growing fast, ensuring that your BESC certificate is confirmed before arrival helps keep your cargo moving without unnecessary delays.
Sources: ecomatin.net | cameroun24.net
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