(Business in Cameroon) – The Port Authority of Douala (PAD) has invested CFA11.5 billion to acquire two new ASD 3010-type tugboats, each with a towing capacity of 60 tons, for its dedicated towing service -the Delegated Towing Service (RDR). The tugboats are currently being completed at Damen’s shipbuilding facilities in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Delivery to Douala Port is expected within the next few months.
This acquisition follows a direct contract signed between PAD and Damen in October 2023. The contract covers the construction, supply, and commissioning of the tugboats within 14 months. It also includes spare parts, as well as one year of training and technical assistance for the local staff. The project’s execution is overseen by Matgénie, the National Civil Engineering Equipment Park, and the Shipbuilding and Industrial Yard of Cameroon (CNIC).
According to Joseph François Zapoto, PAD’s Technical Advisor and project leader, this investment is part of the port’s broader fleet renewal program. It aims to enhance services for ships, particularly in areas such as piloting, berthing, and rescue operations.
These two new tugboats will strengthen a fleet that has been aging, with the average age of the five existing vessels being around 25 years. With this addition, RDR will now operate a total of seven tugboats. This follows the failure of negotiations between PAD and the Spanish operator Boluda, who was initially set to manage the port’s towing services.
The new tugboats are expected to improve port operations by increasing the capacity to assist vessels that cannot dock or depart the quay on their own. Tugging involves towing ships at the port’s entrance and exit with the help of one or more tugboats.
“These tugboats will also help address the challenges faced by the Cameroonian company Fako Transport & Shipping Company Ltd, which holds the towing contract at the Cap Limboh oil terminal, from which the country’s only refinery, Sonara, is supplied,” said Zapoto.
This acquisition is part of the larger modernization strategy for Douala Port, which aims to handle increased traffic. The port’s annual traffic is expected to rise from 12.4 million tons to 21 million tons by 2030.
