Port Guide: Douala, Cameroon — What Every Ship Operator Should Know

Douala Port at a Glance

The Port of Douala is Cameroon's largest and busiest port, handling approximately 95% of the country's maritime traffic. Located on the Wouri River estuary, it serves as the primary gateway for landlocked Central African countries including Chad and the Central African Republic. The port handles over 10 million tonnes of cargo annually, including containerized goods, bulk commodities, petroleum products, and timber.

Key Port Specifications

• •Location: Wouri River estuary, Littoral Region, Cameroon
• •Maximum draft: 10.5 metres (deepest berths)
• •Number of berths: 30+ (including container, bulk, oil, and general cargo terminals)
• •Channel depth: 7-8 metres at low tide
• •Tidal range: Approximately 2 metres
• •Pilotage: Compulsory for all vessels over 150 GT
• •Port authority: Port Authority of Douala (PAD)

Agency Services and Port Formalities

All vessels calling at Douala are required to appoint a local shipping agent. At Cameroon Diving Services, we provide comprehensive port agency and husbandry services including customs clearance, crew changes, bunker coordination, fresh water supply, and waste removal. Our team handles all documentation with port authorities, immigration, customs, and health officials to ensure smooth port calls.

Underwater Services Available in Douala

Douala's warm, nutrient-rich waters promote rapid marine growth, making regular underwater hull cleaning essential for vessels on extended schedules. Our Douala-based team provides the full range of underwater services: hull cleaning, propeller polishing, UWILD surveys, underwater welding, underwater inspections with CCTV, and emergency ship repairs.

• •Underwater hull cleaning (brush kart technology, safe for all coatings)
• •Propeller polishing to Rupert scale A / A+ finish
• •UWILD surveys accepted by BV, ABS, DNV, Lloyd's Register
• •Underwater welding (Lloyd's Register approved)
• •Underwater CCTV inspections and ultrasonic thickness measurements
• •Emergency propeller and rudder repairs

Practical Tips for Douala Port Calls

Based on our years of experience operating in Douala, here are practical recommendations: (1) Book pilotage at least 48 hours in advance. (2) Coordinate underwater services with cargo operations to minimize port time — we can work alongside loading/discharge. (3) Ensure all crew passports have at least 6 months validity for visa processing. (4) Arrange waste disposal and fresh water through your agent before arrival. (5) For vessels planning extended stays, schedule hull cleaning during the call to prevent excessive fouling in Douala's warm waters.