Following its January announcement that it would strengthen its long-established intermodal capabilities, global container shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) announced in May 2026 the expansion of its intermodal operations in Cameroon through the integration of the Port of Kribi into its end-to-end logistics solution.

This expansion will enhance cargo connectivity between Yaoundé, in Cameroon and inland markets across the region including N’Djamena, in Chad; and Bangui, in the Central Africa Republic, says MSC.

The Port of Kribi in Cameroon is known to export a diverse range of cargo, primarily consisting of mineral fuels, agricultural cash crops, timber and mining products including bulk shipments of bauxite.

With up to four weekly vessel calls and direct services connecting Cameroon to Asia including China, Korea, Vietnam, India and beyond, the integration offers businesses a faster and more cost-efficient way to move cargo, says MSC in its May statement.

MSC points out that, as trade volumes continue to rise, the use of Kribi will strengthen cargo movement across the region and eases pressure on existing trade routes.

Further, as Cameroon’s only deep-water port and the largest in Central Africa, Kribi plays an important role in regional trade, says MSC.

From the Port of Kribi, MSC facilitates inland distribution through coordinated logistics operations managed by sits local teams.

From documentation and customs clearance, to transport and real-time shipment tracking, MSC says it ensures that every stage of the journey is managed to ensure cargo moves efficiently, reliably and with full visibility from port to final destination.

While MSC has offered integrated rail, road and port solutions across Africa for many years, the expansion is designed to raise awareness of the breadth of these inland services and demonstrate how MSC delivers end-to-end transport beyond the port, the company says.

To highlight these capabilities, MSC is showcasing four strategic inland corridors that play a vital role in connecting landlocked regions to coastal gateways. Through insights from local experts, this promotional initiative will spotlight operational realities along the Côte d’Ivoire to Burkina Faso, Cameroon, South Africa and Kenya corridors – each central to the efficient movement of goods across some of Africa’s most commercially active supply chains.

The Côte d’Ivoire to Burkina Faso corridor, which stretches about 1 150 km to 1 260 km between the Port of Abidjan and Ouagadougou, supports significant trade flows across West Africa and connects two of the region’s fastest-growing economies, says MSC.

Similar economic importance exists across the Cameroon, South Africa and Kenya corridors, each serving as “essential conduits” for high-growth sectors including agriculture, mining, fast moving consumer goods and temperature-controlled commodities, the company adds.

Reliable inland to port connections are becoming central to supporting economic activity across the continent as several countries continue to improve road and rail systems while advancing regional integration efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area, the company concludes.