Douala Port: New Afisa Grain Silos Boost Capacity by 40,000 Tons

• Eight new grain silos at Douala-Bonabéri Port have added 40,000 tons of storage capacity.
• The facility was developed jointly by the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) and Afisa Food Industry, a subsidiary of Sudan's Elnefeidi Group.
• A Vigan suction system allows for grain unloading at up to 600 tons per hour, reducing vessel turnaround to under three days.
• Afisa will operate the facility for approximately 20 years before transferring it to PAD.
• This expansion aims to shorten vessel unloading times, provide storage for Afisa's food processing, and free up berth space faster.

The advanced Vigan suction system, capable of extracting up to 600 tons of grain per hour directly from ships' holds, is projected to cut vessel unloading times to less than three days, a substantial improvement over conventional methods.

The Port of Douala-Bonabéri has significantly enhanced its grain handling capabilities with the recent development of eight new silos, adding a substantial 40,000 tons to its storage capacity. This crucial infrastructure project was a collaborative effort between the Port Authority of Douala (PAD) and Afisa Food Industry, a key player in the region's food processing sector. Each of these newly constructed silos is designed to accommodate 5,000 tons of cereals, collectively bolstering Cameroon's grain storage capacity.

Afisa Food Industry, identified as a subsidiary of Sudan’s Elnefeidi Group, played a pivotal role in this expansion. The primary objectives behind this joint venture are twofold: to drastically reduce the time vessels spend unloading at the port and to provide essential storage facilities specifically tailored for Afisa’s extensive food-processing operations. This development marks a significant step in improving the efficiency of Cameroon maritime logistics.

A cornerstone of this new facility is the integration of a state-of-the-art Vigan suction system, designed to revolutionize grain discharge processes. This advanced technology allows for the direct extraction of grain from ships’ holds at an impressive rate of up to 600 tons per hour. This capacity is a game-changer for the Douala-Bonabéri port expansion, as it is projected to enable the complete unloading of a grain vessel in less than three days.

This rapid turnaround represents a substantial improvement over conventional unloading methods, which typically require considerably more time. The accelerated discharge not only streamlines the flow of goods but also has the critical benefit of freeing up valuable berth space much sooner. This increased availability of berths will facilitate smoother operations for other vessel movements, enhancing overall port throughput and potentially reducing demurrage costs for shippers.

The operational framework for these new Douala Port Afisa grain silos is structured as a long-term public-private partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, Afisa Food Industry Cameroon is slated to operate the facility for approximately two decades. Following this 20-year period, the entire complex will be transferred to the Port Authority of Douala, ensuring its continued contribution to the nation's infrastructure.

This strategic collaboration not only bolsters Cameroon's grain storage capacity but also establishes a long-term operational model for critical port infrastructure. Lawyers advising clients in the agricultural, food processing, or logistics sectors in Cameroon should note that this significant increase in grain import and storage capacity at Douala Port could profoundly impact supply chain efficiency, influence import/export contracts, and lead to a reduction in demurrage costs, thereby creating a more predictable and cost-effective environment for trade.

Lawyers advising clients in the agricultural, food processing, or logistics sectors in Cameroon should note the significant increase in grain import and storage capacity at Douala Port, which could impact supply chain efficiency, import/export contracts, and potentially reduce demurrage costs. The 20-year operational agreement between PAD and Afisa also presents a case study for long-term public-private partnerships in port infrastructure.

Source: Reporting based on official port announcements.