According to a press release made public on December 5, 2024 by the Director General of the Autonomous Port of Douala, the Paris Court of Appeal has annulled the arbitration awards ordering the Autonomous Port of Douala (PAD) to pay more than 37 billion FCFA to the company Douala International Terminal (DIT). A decision hailed as a major step forward for fair justice and the economic development of the port of Douala-Bonabéri.
On December 3, 2024, the Paris Court of Appeal issued two judgments that annul arbitral awards previously issued by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris. These awards, dated November 9, 2021 and April 15, 2022, had ordered the Autonomous Port of Douala to pay a colossal sum of 37,234,009,598.8 FCFA to Douala International Terminal SA. This judicial decision puts an end to a long-standing dispute between the two entities, related to the management and transition of the container terminal of the port of Douala-Bonabéri.
A conflict with multiple stakes
This dispute concerned several aspects, including the conditions for the transfer of employees, the recovery of equipment essential to port activities, the repurchase of stocks, as well as the terms of handover of the site at the end of the concession in December 2019. The Autonomous Port of Douala, faced with complex legal disputes, had seen its management called into question, while it was trying to regain control of a strategic sector for the national economy. The 2021 arbitration award had been criticized for irregularities in the composition of the arbitral tribunal. This situation compromised the fundamental guarantees of impartiality and independence necessary for credible justice.
A victory celebrated in Cameroon
The PAD management welcomed this cancellation with satisfaction, welcoming a decision that validates its arguments on the irregularities of the arbitration process. This outcome also marks a recognition of the transformation efforts undertaken by the port under the leadership of the Cameroonian government. In a press release, the PAD paid tribute to the enlightened vision of President Paul Biya, whose support was crucial in this legal fight. Since his commitment in 2011 to modernize the port of Douala-Bonabéri, the head of state has made this infrastructure a pillar of the country’s economic transformation.
A dynamic towards modernization
The Port Autonome de Douala is committed to continuing its efforts to modernize and develop the port, in order to meet international standards. With the support of the government, the general management of the PAD reaffirms its determination to make the Douala-Bonabéri port complex a lever for national and sub-regional development. This court decision is an important step towards restoring the confidence of port stakeholders and investors. It also highlights the challenges related to the management of strategic infrastructure, while providing an opportunity to strengthen governance and transparency in the sector.
A strong signal for the future
This victory of the PAD is not only a demonstration of institutional resilience, but also a clear message on Cameroon’s capacity to defend its strategic interests in international bodies. With this legal advance, the port of Douala-Bonabéri is positioning itself to write a new page in its history, by consolidating its role as a logistics hub for the sub-region.
