Management integrating artificial intelligence, acquisition of new latest generation park gantries, a new terminal plan, a private communications network… The container terminal management is engaged in a vast project to align with international standards.
Since the start of its activities in 2020, the Container Terminal Authority (RTC) of the Autonomous Port of Douala (PAD) has claimed the implementation of various projects. Among these is the modernization project of this terminal which concentrates the largest part of the port’s revenues. According to its managers, This modernization process affects various points.
8 new gantries
From 4 gantries present under the administration of the former concessionaire Douala International Terminal, the PAD container terminal now has 12. In November 2023, four mobile gantry cranes were received. Of the Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) type, these park cranes join the first four that arrived a month earlier. This is in addition to the four quayside gantries acquired over the past fifteen years by the PAD. The total number of gantries therefore increases to 12. Thanks to this new equipment presented as the most modern of the moment, the RTC is revolutionizing container handling. “We went from Reachtakerthat is to say that we were taking a step by step approach, with full RTG handling, optimizing spaces and yields. This means that even in IT terms, we will have to optimize the use of our Terminal Operating System (TOS) which will now be able to communicate automatically with the park equipment, locate containers more quickly and load them just as quickly as we had before.”explained the DG of the RTC Dieudonné Onana Ndo, in a media release. This equipment should make it possible to double the storage capacity of the terminal, reduce the time of passage of trucks and processing of ships. The eight gantries were acquired with own funds at 12 billion FCFA.
Management based on artificial intelligence
One of the innovations that PAD’s top management is proud of to date is the implementation of a modern operating system at the RTC. Called Navis N4, this system is presented as one of the most sophisticated used in only a few countries in Africa. The computer tool backed by artificial intelligence allows the automation of planning and execution of operations. For example, it is used to easily find containers that number in the thousands or for intelligent invoicing. It is a revolution that allows at the same time to have a modern platform and to optimize cost management. According to experts, this system has the advantage of promoting productivity at a lower cost. By adopting this system, Cameroon is now cited as a reference in the field. Moreover, the expertise of PAD’s IT specialists is now sought after by other countries that want to implement the same system.
Revenues on the rise
In this modernization dynamic, the RTC has set up a private communication network. This is a network presented as being of the same level as that offered by telephone operators. It thus contributes to the performance and security in the management of this port platform. The RTC also welcomes the new configuration of the terminal. From a perpendicular presentation, we have moved to a parallel plan. This makes the terminal more spacious and increases its reception capacities. Added to the 10% reduction in rates at the RTC, the results in figures are positive. Between 2020 and 2023, the Douala Port Container Terminal Authority says it paid fees totaling 69.2 billion FCFA. These fees are increasing year after year. They increased from 15.7 billion FCFA in 2020 to 16.5 billion in 2021, 17.9 billion FCFA in 2022 and then 19.1 billion FCFA in 2023. According to the officials of the Régie, these royalties are 3 times higher than those recorded at the time of the former concessionaire.
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