Port of Douala Logistics Base – Cameroon

Project Overview

Robust Consulting Engineers was appointed by the Coega Development Corporation to provide Structural Engineering services for the proposed Central African Republic (CAR) Logistics Base at the Port of Douala, Cameroon. Strategically located at Central Africa’s busiest port, the development was designed to strengthen regional trade by providing modern logistics infrastructure capable of supporting the storage, handling and distribution of goods destined for the Central African Republic and neighbouring countries.

With an estimated project value of approximately R185 million, the project required robust structural engineering solutions capable of supporting heavy industrial operations while accommodating future expansion of the logistics hub.

The Challenge

The Port of Douala serves as a critical gateway for imports and exports throughout Central Africa, handling large volumes of cargo destined for landlocked countries including the Central African Republic. The client required a logistics facility capable of improving supply chain efficiency by consolidating warehousing, administration and cargo handling operations within a single strategically located development.

The engineering challenge was to design industrial structures capable of supporting heavy operational loading while maintaining flexibility for future growth. The project also required coordination between multiple building types, each with unique structural requirements, ranging from large-span warehouses to reinforced concrete office buildings and entrance structures.

Given the international nature of the project, the engineering solutions also needed to satisfy recognised international design standards while ensuring durability in a coastal environment characterised by high humidity and aggressive atmospheric conditions.

Our Engineering Solution

Robust Engineers delivered comprehensive structural engineering designs for the major buildings forming the logistics base.

The development included a 4,500 m² Container Freight Station (CFS) warehouse, designed using structural steel to provide large, unobstructed internal spaces suitable for cargo handling and warehousing operations. In addition, our team designed a 1,500 m² reinforced concrete administration building, providing modern office accommodation and operational facilities to support the logistics centre.

The project also included the structural design of a 550 m² warehouse, a substantial entrance structure serving as the gateway to the facility and provisions for future expansion, including a service station to support logistics vehicles operating within the complex.

Throughout the design process, Robust Engineers focused on developing practical structural solutions that balanced construction efficiency, long-term durability and operational flexibility. The structural steel systems were designed to accommodate heavy industrial loading while providing the clear spans required for efficient warehousing and cargo movement.

Value Delivered

The Port of Douala Logistics Base demonstrates Robust Engineers’ ability to deliver large-scale industrial infrastructure beyond South Africa’s borders. By combining reinforced concrete and structural steel systems within a coordinated engineering solution, we developed facilities capable of supporting modern logistics operations while allowing for future expansion as regional trade volumes continue to grow.

Our engineering approach prioritised durability, constructability and operational efficiency, ensuring that the facilities could withstand the demanding conditions associated with high-volume freight handling and continuous industrial use.

The project also highlights Robust Engineers’ capability to work on international infrastructure developments, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and delivering engineering solutions that support economic development across the African continent.

Project Outcome

The completed engineering designs provide the foundation for a strategically important logistics hub that will strengthen regional trade and improve supply chain efficiency throughout Central Africa. By delivering modern warehousing, administration and logistics infrastructure, the development supports faster movement of goods between the Port of Douala and inland markets, contributing to regional economic growth and improved trade connectivity.

This project reflects Robust Engineers’ growing international footprint and demonstrates our ability to successfully deliver complex structural engineering solutions for major industrial and logistics developments across Africa.