(Business in Cameroon) – The Port Authority of Kribi (PAK) received advanced port equipment on October 14, marking a significant milestone in the port’s ongoing expansion. The vessel Fu Zhou Guo Ji delivered 13 Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes, two new reach stackers, and three empty handlers, boosting the port’s capacity as it nears the completion of Phase II of its industrial and port expansion project.
These new additions join five Ship to Shore (STS) cranes and two RTGs that were received on September 12, 2024. According to PAK, this cutting-edge equipment will enhance operational efficiency, speeding up ship loading and unloading while ensuring safe and effective container handling. The port authority emphasized that these upgrades will help streamline operations and significantly improve performance.
With the additional equipment, the 715-meter quay under Phase II is preparing to handle the increasing maritime traffic. PAK estimates that the turnaround time for ships will be greatly reduced, and the port’s handling capacity will double, reaching an average of 24 moves per hour. PAK said its teams are fully engaged in this strategic step, which aims to position Kribi as a leading logistics hub in the region.
Phase II of the expansion project involves building a new 715-meter quay, extending the protective breakwater by 675 meters, developing 30 hectares of storage areas, and constructing aluminum and hydrocarbon terminals. The total cost of this phase is CFA400 billion, 75% of which is financed through a loan from China’s Eximbank.
Since operations began on March 2, 2018, the port of Kribi has seen steady growth in containerized imports, increasing from 7,526 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in August 2023 to 8,878 TEUs by March 31, 2024. Domestic container traffic also rose from 9,026 TEUs in August 2023 to 10,720 TEUs by March 2024.
Overall, the first quarter of 2024 was the best first quarter on record for Kribi, with 76,867 TEUs handled, a 38% increase compared to the 55,802 TEUs in Q1 2023. PAK highlighted that this marks the second consecutive quarter of positive growth. Import traffic, in particular, saw an impressive 80% jump in Q1 2024, reaching 21,504 TEUs, up from 11,960 TEUs in Q1 2023.
