Kribi Port Performance World Bank CPPI: Cameroon Port Plummets to 395th

• Cameroon's Kribi deep-sea port recorded one of the world's steepest declines in container-port performance since 2020.
• The port ranked 395th out of 400 globally in the 2025 Container Port Performance Index, published in June 2026 by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
• Kribi's score plummeted by 211.5 points, from -5 in 2020 to -216.5 in 2025, primarily due to longer vessel turnaround times.
• This decline represents the fifth-largest among 317 ports with comparable data for both 2020 and 2025.
• The port's 2025 performance was significantly below regional averages for West Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and lower-middle-income countries.

The severe decline in Kribi port performance, as highlighted by the World Bank Container Port Performance Index, signals increased risks of supply chain disruptions, longer vessel turnaround times, and potential demurrage costs for businesses operating in the region.

Cameroon's Kribi deep-sea port has experienced one of the most significant declines in container-port performance globally since 2020, a trend primarily attributed to increasingly longer vessel turnaround times. The port's deteriorating efficiency has placed it near the bottom of the latest global rankings, signaling growing Cameroon maritime trade challenges.

According to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), jointly published in June 2026 by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, Kribi ranked 395th out of 400 ports worldwide. This stark position reflects a dramatic fall from its 2020 standing, with its score plummeting from -5 to -216.5 in 2025. This represents a substantial deterioration of 211.5 points over a five-year period.

Further analysis of the report's statistical appendix reveals the severity of this decline. Among the 317 ports for which both 2020 and 2025 scores were available, Kribi's performance drop was the fifth-largest. This sharp downturn in the Kribi port performance World Bank CPPI ranking underscores significant operational challenges impacting the region's logistics.

The deterioration in Kribi's performance was not a continuous, linear process but rather marked by fluctuations before its sharpest decline. After its 2020 score of -5, the port's efficiency initially worsened to -118 in 2021. It then saw a period of recovery, improving to -84 in 2022 and further to -62 in 2023. However, this recovery proved temporary, as the score sharply deteriorated to -199 in 2024, ultimately reaching its lowest point of -216.5 in 2025.

When compared to regional benchmarks, Kribi's 2025 performance significantly lagged behind. The average score for ports in West Africa stood at -66.2 points, while Sub-Saharan Africa averaged -72. Even against the broader category of lower-middle-income countries, which had an average score of -9, Kribi's -216.5 points highlight a profound efficiency gap. Within the West Africa maritime region specifically, only Conakry recorded a worse decline over the period, with a 278.9-point drop, further emphasizing the severity of Cameroon Kribi port delays.

The severe decline in Kribi port performance, as highlighted by the World Bank Container Port Performance Index, signals increased risks of supply chain disruptions, longer vessel turnaround times, and potential demurrage costs for businesses operating in the region. This pronounced Kribi deep-sea port logistics risk necessitates a proactive approach from legal and compliance professionals advising clients engaged in trade with Cameroon.

Lawyers should recommend a thorough review of existing contracts to assess the adequacy of force majeure clauses and other provisions that address operational delays and unforeseen circumstances. Understanding the implications of these extended Cameroon Kribi port delays is crucial for mitigating financial and operational exposures. Advising on strategies to manage these challenges, such as adjusting shipping schedules, exploring alternative routes, or renegotiating terms, becomes paramount in light of the port's significantly diminished efficiency, as documented by the S&P Global Market Intelligence CPPI.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients on trade and logistics in Cameroon should note the severe decline in Kribi port's performance, which signals increased risks of supply chain disruptions, longer vessel turnaround times, and potential demurrage costs. This necessitates a review of existing contracts for force majeure clauses and advising on strategies to mitigate operational and financial exposures.

Source: Reporting based on the latest World Bank CPPI analysis.