Cameroon restores operations at Central Africa’s busiest trade gateway after cargo ship collision

The country’s transport ministry said maritime traffic has resumed at the Port of Douala-Bonaberi after emergency clearance operations reopened the navigation channel that was obstructed following Sunday’s accident.

The collision occurred near buoy No. 20 in the Douala-Bonaberi channel when the outbound MV Sea Honor, registered in Tuvalu, struck the inbound MV Black Rhino, sailing under the Cyprus flag.

Although both vessels sustained significant damage, no fatalities were reported.

According to Transport Minister Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, MV Sea Honor was removed from the channel and towed to an anchorage area, while MV Black Rhino was deliberately grounded along the line of red buoys to secure the waterway and allow clearance operations to proceed safely.

The ministry also confirmed that all 15 crew members aboard MV Black Rhino were safely evacuated in line with national maritime rescue procedures.

A critical gateway for Central African trade

The Port of Douala-Bonaberi is far more than Cameroon’s largest seaport. It is the country’s principal maritime gateway and a vital logistics hub for Central Africa, handling the bulk of Cameroon’s seaborne imports and exports.

The port also serves as a crucial transit route for goods destined for the landlocked economies of Chad and the Central African Republic, making any disruption to its operations a concern for businesses across the region.

While authorities did not disclose the economic impact of the temporary closure, prolonged disruptions at the port can delay shipments of fuel, food, industrial equipment, consumer goods and other essential cargo, while increasing freight costs for importers and exporters.

The Port Authority of Douala has launched a technical investigation to determine the cause of the collision.

Preliminary findings suggest that a loss of steering control aboard MV Black Rhino may have triggered the accident, although officials said the investigation remains ongoing.

The swift reopening of the navigation channel is good news for businesses that rely on one of Central Africa’s busiest maritime gateways.

African ports have come under increasing pressure to improve efficiency as governments seek to lower transport costs, strengthen regional supply chains and expand intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Even short-lived disruptions at strategic ports can ripple through regional supply chains, delaying cargo, raising logistics costs and affecting businesses that depend on predictable shipping schedules.

The quick restoration of operations at Douala helps reduce the risk of backlogs at a time when maritime infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to Africa’s trade ambitions.

It also underscores the strategic importance of maintaining safe navigation at ports that connect coastal economies with landlocked neighbours, whose imports and exports depend heavily on reliable access to the sea.