Cameroon: Port of Douala Faces Operational Strain from Long-Stay Containers

(3 Minutes Read)

 Nearly 2,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) are currently classified as “prolonged stay” at the Port of Douala’s container terminal, according to internal sources from the Container Terminal Authority (RTC SA). These containers have remained at the port for over 90 days without being cleared by their owners.

In response to the mounting congestion, Lin Dieudonné Onana Ndoh, Director General of RTC, issued a memo on May 7, 2025, calling on importers to immediately complete clearance procedures. Ndoh emphasised that the terminal is a transit point, not a storage facility, and reiterated that containers are only permitted to remain for 11 working days without incurring fees, as outlined in current port regulations.

After the grace period, storage fees apply. Importers are given a maximum of 90 days to remove their containers, beyond which the goods are considered abandoned and subject to seizure and auction by customs authorities.

Port operators note that the low storage fees and secure environment at the terminal may incentivise importers to delay removal, preferring the port over more costly off-site facilities. However, this practice is viewed as detrimental to overall efficiency and consumer costs, with added charges often passed on to end-users, contributing to inflation.

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A similar situation occurred in 2014, prompting government intervention. At that time, nearly 1,000 containers were relocated to a designated overflow area, the “Udeac-Cotco zone,” which can accommodate up to 2,900 TEUs. The current backlog continues to hinder the port’s operational flow, spotlighting the need for stricter enforcement and improved logistics management.