Fluvial Mobility in the City of Douala: The Development of a Bimodal Terminal Between Bonaberi Quarters and River Wouri in the Littoral Region of Cameroon

The city of Douala is experiencing rapid demographic growth, leading to pressure on its transport infrastructure. (Dittrich-Webuer et al 2008) road traffic and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The methodology adopted combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It involves a site survey, field surveys, interviews and analysis of cartographic and statistical data. This article investigates the feasibility and impacts of developing a bimodal terminal in Bonaberi, combining road and river transport via the Wouri River. Survey results show that 70% of users are interested in a regular and secure river transport service. Travel time modeling indicates that river transport could reduce journey durations by 30–40% (20–30 minutes compared to 60–90 minutes by road). Socio economic projections depicts that the project could create 300–600 direct and indirect jobs and reduce logistics costs by 20–25%. The study concludes that establishing a bimodal station would strengthen urban connectivity, generate employment, and improve quality of life, depending on the extent to which it is bolstered by consistent policies on waterway maintenance and intermodal integration. Analysis of the potential of the Wouri River suggests that the river fulfils all the required conditions to be at the heart of this transport by river project. We envisage to implant the project on the west bank of the river at altitudes between 7-9m.