According to some port operators, the lengthening of export delays can be attributed to several factors, notably the unavailability of ships. Additionally, the cumbersome export procedures resulting from numerous administrative controls are a significant contributing factor to the delays.The Douala Autonomous port attributes these delays to the speed of procedures initiated by the exporter upon container deposit at the terminal. According to the competitiveness committee, Cameroon has achieved a significant reduction in import delays , dropping from 25,6 days in 2015 to 9,55 days in 2023 ,a decrease of 16 days. Cameroon's Customs Authority sets an 11-day timeframe to clear a container from the port of Douala, which handles over 70% of the country's international trade, according to the Port authority estimates.It is worth noting that the duration of ship stays is one of the key criteria for evaluating the performance and competitiveness of ports.According to the 2023 container port performance index published by the World Bank and Standard port global market intelligence, the port of Douala ranked 373 globally out of 405 evaluated ports , dropping 6 places from the previous year, primarily due to its aging  and outdated infrastructure ,according to the World Bank. In a bid to slash the delays and boost competitiveness, the Port of Douala has unveiled an ambitious strategy to triple its capacity by 2025 , fueled by the acquisition of modern handling.The Douala Autonomous Port committed 12 billion Fcfa in 2023 to upgrade Terminal C with eight modern gantry cranes , boosting storage capacity, reducing container dwell times and increasing efficiency .                                                                                                               

Christelle Koambi