Regional Shipping Costs Surged 95 Percent in 2025
Businesses moving cargo from Abidjan to Douala face higher overhead than those shipping from European hubs.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Transportation
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The average cost to ship a 20-foot dry container from Abidjan to Douala rose to CFA1.328 million in 2025, a 95% increase over 2024 levels. This shift made the regional route more expensive than international transit from major European ports.
Why it matters
Operators moving goods within the region face significant margin compression due to these rising freight costs, which have outpaced the pricing trends seen on long-haul routes from Europe. The disparity complicates supply chain logistics for businesses relying on intra-regional maritime trade.
The route from Abidjan to Douala saw a 95% annual cost increase, while comparative rates from Antwerp and Le Havre declined by 33% and 19% respectively. These localized price spikes were compounded by late-year surcharges from major carriers.
The players
CMA CGM
A major global container transportation and shipping company that manages extensive international trade routes.
Maersk
A leading integrated container logistics company with a vast global shipping network.
National Shippers' Council
The regulatory and oversight body responsible for monitoring shipping freight data and port costs.
The details
Shipping logistics between Abidjan and Douala were strained as costs rose to CFA1.328 million per 20-foot container, exceeding the cost of shipments from Le Havre at CFA1.312 million. Major carriers added to this burden in Q4 2025, with CMA CGM and Maersk implementing surcharges of $100 and $200 per container respectively. While these regional costs climbed, rates from other global hubs including Nansha, Ningbo, and Xiamen trended downward.
Timeline
2024 served as the base year for annual shipping cost comparisons.
Costs for the Abidjan-Douala route increased by 98% in Q2 2025 compared to Q2 2024.
The average cost to ship between Abidjan and Douala rose by 95% over the full year 2025.
CMA CGM implemented a $100 container surcharge on October 1, 2025.
Maersk implemented a $200 container surcharge on October 27, 2025.
Market Landscape
The localized surge in freight costs represents a sharp departure from broader global maritime trends, where routes from hubs like Antwerp and Nansha saw annual price declines. This divergence isolates regional trade participants from the cost relief currently enjoyed by long-haul importers.
Logistics managers should re-evaluate contract terms with regional carriers to mitigate the impact of unpredictable surcharges. Assess if the current freight cost gap makes trans-oceanic shipping a more cost-effective alternative to established regional maritime routes.
The takeaway
Regional shipping routes currently carry an unexpected price premium that defies the broader global decline in freight costs. Operators should audit their current shipping bills for carrier-specific surcharges and compare current regional rates against major international port benchmarks.
Further reading
For broader trends in global supply chain costs, visit the Transportation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Business in Cameroon.
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