By Ndumbe Bell Joseph Gaston, in Douala
The Port of Douala was blocked for several hours late last Sunday night, breaking into Monday, July 13, following a serious collision between two vessels in the access channel.
What Happened
According to initial reports, the accident occurred during night-time navigation and obstructed the main maritime access to the port. Maritime authorities and port officials immediately launched intervention operations to secure the area, assess damage, and clear the channel to restore traffic.
No Casualties, Investigation Underway
No casualties have been reported so far. The cause of the collision and the extent of material damage are still under investigation by the Port Authority of Douala, PAD.
Impact on Port Traffic and Navigation Safety
The incident caused delays for ships waiting to berth and raised concerns about navigation safety in the Wouri estuary, a critical entry point for Cameroon’s imports and exports. Traffic was expected to resume once the channel was cleared and safety checks completed. Authorities have promised to release a full report after the inquiry.
