Benchmarking

Douala Maritime Museum looks to the future.

On 7 and 8 November 2023, a delegation from the Cameroon National Shippers' Council (CNSC) travelled to Genoa and Verona in Italy for an experience-sharing meeting between the Douala Maritime Museum and other museums. Particular interest was paid to the "GALATA MUSEO DEL MARE" (Galata Maritime Museum), which is the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean.

The delegation was led by Mr. Koum Claude, Director of Information Systems Department at the CNSC, and included Mr. Ekwalla Patrice, Service Head at the Douala Maritime Museum, Mr. Arnaud Npago, Head of the Networks and Infrastructures Service and Mrs. Stella Nkama, Service Head for Public Relations.

The guided tour of the Galata Maritime Museum was conducted by Mrs. Deborah Bruno, architect and museographer at the Galata Museum. From its first to the top floor, the Galata Maritime Museum highlights the maritime history of Genoa, the explorations of Christopher Columbus, Italian immigration and the marine world.

The visit was followed by a working session with the Director of the Institution Museums of the Sea and Migration, Mr. Pierangelo Campodonico. Having visited the Douala Maritime Museum, the latter used the opportunity to congratulate the initiative and vision of the General Manager of the Cameroon National Shippers' Council, Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda. He also highlighted the rich potential of the Douala Maritime Museum to leverage on the history of Cameroon's coastline. Discussions focused on avenues for improvement and collaboration, as well as the possible reestablishment of a partnership.

The Storm Room, a fun, cultural and scientific attraction at the Douala Maritime Museum, was the outcome of a partnership between the CNSC and the Museums of the Sea and the Mediterranean in Genoa (Italy) seven (07) years ago. Through this visit, this flagship attraction of the Douala Maritime Museum is about to be re-launched in a new and improved form, integrating advances in 3D technology.