DR Congo Government Grants 3-Month Reprieve for Wooden Riverboats

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, through its Ministry of Transport, Communications and Disenclavement, granted a three-month temporary derogation for wooden barges on interior rivers, effective November 15, 2026, while maintaining a ban on the Congo River.

This exceptional measure, outlined in a ministerial order signed on November 10, 2026, confirms the strict prohibition of wooden barges on the Congo River from November 15, 2026. However, it allows these vessels to continue operating on interior rivers, exclusively within the same province, for a maximum period of three months. This transitional arrangement is intended to facilitate the gradual deployment of metallic barges and addresses the critical need for local transport while responding to a recent surge in fatal accidents involving wooden vessels. Operators benefiting from this derogation must adhere to stringent safety requirements, including a strict ban on overloading passengers or goods.

This regulatory intervention carries significant legal implications for the transport sector and public safety in the DRC. It represents a decisive governmental action to mitigate risks associated with unsafe navigation, balancing the imperative of public safety with the economic realities of local communities reliant on river transport. The introduction of a clear timeline for the phase-out of wooden barges on major waterways and the imposition of strict safety conditions for the temporary derogation will necessitate substantial adjustments for operators, impacting their business models, insurance liabilities, and investment strategies for fleet modernization.

The legal context for this decision is firmly rooted in the DRC's existing transport laws and regulations governing inland waterway navigation. The ministerial order (arrêté ministériel) is a primary regulatory instrument, deriving its authority from broader legislation concerning public safety, economic development, and the powers vested in the Ministry of Transport. The government's previous decision to ban wooden vessels, prompted by a