Régie du Terminal à Conteneurs : pillar of port excellence
The Régie du Terminal à Conteneurs (RTC S.A) is a prominent subsidiary of the Port Autonome de Douala (PAD) in Cameroon. Since January 1, 2020, it has distinguished itself by the efficient management, optimized operation, rigorous maintenance and constant modernization of the container terminal of the Port of Douala-Bonabéri. To meet the challenges of performance and competitiveness in a context of increased competition, General Management relies on a diversified fleet of state-of-the-art container handling equipment, mostly from Konecranes.
The first contract with Konecranes was signed in 2020. In order to strengthen its operational capacities at the quayside, the RTC placed an order for two Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbor cranes. In October 2022, it received twenty additional port tractors. The need for technical assistance quickly became apparent, leading to the signing of a support and maintenance contract with Paterson Simons & Co. (Africa) Limited. Present at the terminal with five engineers, this company ensures the optimal availability of port tractors, reach stackers, RTGs and other container handling equipment.
This strategic partnership with world leaders in port equipment and technical maintenance illustrates RTC's desire to maintain high standards of performance and reliability, thus consolidating its leading position in the port sector in Central Africa.
New Konecranes RTG cranes about to enter service, October 2023
RTC S.A is the main gateway for containerized goods to Cameroon. The large volume of goods includes not only goods intended for the Cameroonian market, but also those intended for hinterland countries such as Chad and the Central African Republic.
In 2023, the performance of the RTC was illustrated by impressive figures: more than 348,470 TEUs in dockside handling, 120,416 TEUs in landside handling, and 61,658 full containers received. Over this period, RTC achieved a remarkable turnover of 57,108,000,000 FCFA.
These statistics demonstrate not only the operational efficiency of the RTC, but also its crucial role in facilitating trade and the movement of goods across the region. The authority remains a key player in the port economy of Cameroon and its neighboring countries.
Konecranes reach stacker at left, forklift at right
Modernization and performance: the renewal of the Douala-Bonabéri
container terminal
When the Régie du Terminal à Conteneurs (RTC S.A) took control of the container terminal in January 2020, container handling was mainly done with reach stackers. As part of its ambitious investment plan, the Port Autonome de Douala (PAD) has undertaken to modernize and make the Douala-Bonabéri container terminal efficient, attractive and competitive.
The plan included the complete reconstruction of port facilities and the acquisition of new-generation handling equipment. In 2023, eight Rubber-Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes were acquired from Konecranes. The first four RTGs were received at the port of Douala-Bonabéri on October 24, 2023, in the presence of Cyrus NGO'O, the Director General of PAD. The last four RTGs arrived in November 2023.
With a fleet now made up of twelve RTGs, the RTC has begun a new stage of its transformation, marked by the transition to a new operating system. Since December 2023, the containers in the terminal have been arranged parallel to the quay, and reception and delivery operations now rely on the RTGs. However, reach stackers are still used for rail (train) handling, ensuring operational flexibility.
In addition, RTC S.A has acquired additional equipment from Konecranes, a forklift, which facilitates the stuffing and unstuffing operations of containers subject to customs inspection. This versatile piece of equipment also helps move twist lock boxes and ship hatches while docked.
Thus, thanks to these strategic investments and the continuous modernization of its infrastructure, RTC S.A is strengthening its leading position in container management, meeting the growing demands of international trade and the specific needs of its customers.
Konecranes Gottwald mobile harbor cranes handling containers
Fleet of Konecranes container handling equipment:
Paterson Simons: a trusted partner for RTC S.A
Founded in 1850, Paterson Simons began its operations in Africa in 1948. Since then, it has continued to strengthen its presence on the continent, becoming in 2001 the distributor of SMV forklifts, then Konecranes forklifts. Today, it is the oldest distributor of Konecranes lifting equipment for the port, mining and petrochemical industries in Africa.
Paterson Simons plays a crucial role in the operational support of the Régie du Terminal à Conteneurs (RTC S.A). The company provides a dedicated service team that looks after RTC's diverse container handling fleet. This team includes qualified engineers, whose mission is to assist the RTC engineering team and transfer their technical knowledge. This transfer of skills improves the availability and performance of the fleet, guaranteeing optimal management of container handling operations.
Thanks to this strategic partnership with Paterson Simons, RTC S.A has benefited from high-level technical support, making it possible to maintain high standards of performance and reliability in its port operations.
RTC S.A: A benchmark in sub-Saharan Africa thanks to Konecranes RTGs
The Régie du Terminal à Conteneurs (RTC S.A) stands out for its use of Konecranes RTGs. Currently, 223 Konecranes RTGs are in service at 18 container terminals in West and Central Africa, making the Konecranes RTG the benchmark in this region.
In just four years of activity, RTC S.A has established itself as one of the best container terminals in sub-Saharan Africa. It has experienced a steady increase in the volume of containers handled year after year, displaying positive performance indicators. RTC's human resources policy is based on the use of local resources, and it has a varied fleet of container handling equipment, mainly Konecranes brand. In addition, the RTC contributes significantly to the national economy thanks to port fees and taxes returned to the state coffers.
The renationalization of the container terminal of the port of Douala continues to write its history. The partnership with Konecranes and Paterson Simons could bring nice surprises to the African port industry, consolidating RTC S.A.'s position as a leader in the sector.
This success demonstrates not only the quality and high performance of Konecranes equipment, but also the strategic vision and rigorous management of RTC S.A, which continues to rise to the top of the African port industry.
