AD Ports Joins Cameroon’s Douala New Dry Bulk Terminal Concession

Why It Matters

The terminal will strengthen Cameroon’s trade resilience and industrial supply chains, positioning Douala as a pivotal logistics hub for land‑locked Central African markets.

Key Takeaways

• AD Ports invests $87 million in Douala dry‑bulk terminal.
• Concession grants AD Ports 51% effective economic interest.
• Phase one adds two berths, 450 m quay, 4 Mt capacity.
• Terminal targets clinker, gypsum, fertilizer, grain shipments.
• Enhances Cameroon’s trade gateway to Central Africa.

Pulse Analysis

Douala’s strategic location on the Atlantic coast makes it the primary maritime gateway for Cameroon and a conduit for Central African economies. By partnering with Africa Ports Development, AD Ports taps into a market where 80% of Cameroon’s bulk commodities already flow through the port, leveraging existing trade volumes while addressing capacity constraints. The new dry‑bulk terminal aligns with broader African infrastructure initiatives aimed at reducing logistics bottlenecks and diversifying export pathways beyond traditional oil‑centric projects.

The $87 million investment reflects AD Ports’ confidence in the region’s growth trajectory. Holding a 51% effective economic interest, the consortium will oversee design, construction, and long‑term operation, ensuring alignment with global best practices. Phase one’s two berths and 450 metre quay are engineered for a 4 million‑tonne annual throughput, focusing on high‑demand commodities such as clinker, gypsum, fertilizer and grain. This capacity boost is expected to lower handling costs, improve turnaround times, and attract new shipping lines seeking reliable bulk services in West‑Central Africa.

Beyond immediate operational gains, the terminal is poised to catalyze industrial development across the hinterland. Enhanced bulk handling will support construction material imports, agricultural inputs, and food security initiatives, fostering economic diversification. Moreover, the project signals increased UAE investment in African logistics, potentially spurring competitive upgrades at neighboring ports. As regional trade patterns evolve, Douala’s upgraded infrastructure could become a linchpin for supply‑chain resilience, drawing further private‑public partnerships and reinforcing Cameroon’s status as a central African trade hub.

AD Ports joins Cameroon’s Douala new dry bulk terminal concession

By Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent · February 18, 2026

![Image: AD Ports]

UAE port operator AD Ports Group has joined Africa Ports Development’s (APD) 30‑year concession to design, build, and operate a new dry‑bulk terminal at the Port of Douala in Cameroon.

AD Ports Group together with two other UAE investors own 60 % of the operating company alongside APD’s 40 % ownership, implying an effective economic interest of 51 % for AD Ports Group.

The AD Ports Group’s share of investment is expected to be around US $87 million for the development of phase one of the dry‑bulk terminal, which will comprise two berths and approximately 450 metres of quay wall with an annual handling capacity of around 4 million tonnes of dry‑bulk cargo such as clinker, gypsum, fertiliser, and grain.

Construction is scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2028, in close collaboration with the Port Authority of Douala.

“The Douala dry bulk terminal will enhance trade resilience, support industrial development, and strengthen Cameroon’s role as a gateway to Central Africa,” said Mohamed Eidha Al Menhali, Regional CEO of the AD Ports Group.

Douala is Cameroon’s largest maritime port, handling 80 % of its bulk commodities and 85 % of national trade volumes, and serving as a transit hub to land‑locked African markets.

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About the Author

Michele Labrut – Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long‑time Panama resident, journalist and correspondent who has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America. She began her career as a press attaché to the French Embassy in Panama and later returned as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

She is the author of Seatrade Maritime’s annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and several books, and has written for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News, and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also contributed to documentaries for the BBC and other European and U.S. television networks.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism, and in 2021 she was promoted to Chevalier grade.