The Port Authority of Douala (PAD) has stepped up its maritime operations with the acquisition of two brand-new tugboats as the maritime company continues taking steps to regain control and improve its operations.
The two new ASD 3010 tugs with 60-tonne towing capacity were officially welcomed on Wednesday, July 23 during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Transport Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, marking a strategic turning point for the competitiveness of the main maritime hub in central Africa.
The acquisition of the new vessels, named after iconic Cameroonian nationalists Emmanuel Mbela Lifafe Endeley and John Ngu Foncha is a key part of efforts to modernize and enhance port services.
The event at Quay 9 of the Port of Douala Bonaberi was filled with pride, recall of history and fanfare as Minister Ngalle Bibehe commissioned the two vessels in a ceremony attended by other government officials, Regional authorities from the North West and South West, Douala Port management, traditional authorities, and the families of EML Endeley and JN Foncha.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Transport emphasized that naming the vessels after Endeley and Foncha embodies the spirit of resilience and ambition that the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) aims to portray.
“These brand-new Azimuth Stern Drive 310 tugboats, equipped with 360° propulsion technology and optimal power, will significantly strengthen the operations of the port,” the Transport Minister noted.
This acquisition is part of a broader marine fleet renewal program spearheaded by the Port Authority of Douala, aimed at modernizing equipment and improving operational efficiency since PAD took over the management of the towing activity in January 2021 following departure of Spanish concessionaire, Boluda.
PAD General Manager, Cyrus Ngo’o highlighted that though vessels appear small, the tugboats are designed to tow much larger ships, assist in docking and undocking, and handle adverse weather and strong currents with ease.
PAD purchased the vessels from Dutch shipbuilder Damen for FCFA 11.6 billion for its tug operation unit, Delegated Towage Management (RDR). Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, which has a rich history dating back to its foundation in 1923, is a world-renowned manufacturer specialising in shipbuilding.
Jan Van Der Vorm, Africa Regional Director of the Damen Shipyard Gorinchem, explained that the EML Endeley and JN Foncha represent a significant upgrade over the aging fleet previously in service.
Prior to this renewal, the Port Authority of Douala operated vessels some as old as 53 years, with the newest tugboats being 22 years old. This resulted in high maintenance costs.
As the new tugboats get into action under historic names, the Port of Douala reaffirms its position as a strategic maritime hub in the region.
Worth noting that since PAD took control of tug services, RDR has delivered strong results. It posted FCFA 4.34 billion in revenue in 2021, a 17% rise over the FCFA3.89 billion generated by Boluda in 2020. At the same time, PAD collected FCFA450 million in fixed royalties and FCFA217 million in variable royalties.
First published in NewsWatch newspaper No 214 of Monday, July 28, 2025.
