Intense Firefight at Kalundu Port! The Internal Conflict in the DRC Intensifies! 卡伦杜港激烈交火！刚果（金）内乱冲突加剧！

Image Credit: The Internet, showing M23 movement fighters occupying the provincial government office building in South Kivu

图片源于网络，为M23运动的战斗人员占领南基伍省省政府办公楼

Kalundu Port is a vital transportation hub in the eastern DRC, connecting cities such as Uvira and Kalemie. Recently, a conflict erupted between the local armed group Wazalendo and the DRC Armed Forces due to opposing strategic interests.

卡伦杜港是刚果（金）东部的重要交通枢纽，连接乌维拉和卡莱米等城市。近期，该地区的地方武装力量瓦扎伦多与刚果（金）武装部队因战略利益对立爆发冲突。

 

On February 16, Wazalendo attempted to prevent the government forces from boarding ships to evacuate, leading to intense firefight near Kalundu Port. Heavy weapons were used, causing severe damage to port facilities and surrounding buildings and plunging the area into chaos.

2月16日，瓦扎伦多试图阻止政府军登船撤离，双方在卡伦杜港附近爆发了激烈的交火，使用重型武器，导致港口设施和周边建筑严重受损，区域陷入混乱。

 

As the conflict escalated, residents of Uvira were thrown into panic, with many families fleeing their homes. Schools and markets were shut down, and economic activities came to a standstill. Local authorities have been trying to control the situation, but progress has been limited so far, and the basic living needs of residents are difficult to ensure.

冲突升级后，乌维拉镇居民陷入恐慌，许多家庭逃离家园，学校和市场关闭，经济活动停滞。地方当局虽努力控制局势，但目前进展有限，居民基本生活需求难以保障。

 

Due to the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC, the operations of some ports have been affected. The airport in Goma has been closed due to military actions by the M23 movement, which has disrupted humanitarian aid and cargo transportation. Traffic on Lake Kivu has also been restricted, with many ships unable to operate normally. This has severely impacted the transportation of goods and the movement of people, weakening the normal operational capacity of the ports. Additionally, the conflict may lead to increased logistics costs and port detention fees.

由于刚果（金）东部的冲突仍在持续，部分港口的运营受到一定影响。戈马市的机场因“M23运动”的军事行动而关闭，导致人道主义救援和物资运输受阻。港口附近的基伍湖交通也受到限制，许多船只无法正常运营，导致港口的物资运输和人员往来受到极大影响，港口的正常运营能力被削弱。此外，冲突还可能导致物流成本上升，港口滞留费用增加。

 

Internal Conflict in the DRC

刚果（金）国内冲突

Tensions in the eastern DRC have escalated sharply recently, with the M23 movement launching offensives in North and South Kivu, causing numerous civilian casualties and displacements.

近期，刚果（金）东部地区紧张局势急剧升级，“M23运动”在北基伍和南基伍地区不断发起攻势，造成大量平民伤亡和流离失所。

 

On February 16, the DRC government confirmed that the anti-government armed group M23 had entered the key town of Bukavu in the east. Local media reported that M23 armed elements had occupied several strategic locations in Bukavu.

刚果（金）政府16日证实，反政府武装组织“M23运动”已进入该国东部重镇布卡武。当地媒体报道说，“M23运动”武装人员占领布卡武多个要地。

In the afternoon of February 16, the DRC government issued a statement saying that M23 armed elements had entered Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, that morning. The government pledged to restore order and security in the area as soon as possible and called on residents to stay at home to avoid becoming targets of attacks.

刚果（金）政府16日下午发布声明说，“M23运动”武装人员当天早上进入南基伍省首府布卡武。政府承诺将尽快恢复当地秩序和安全，并呼吁居民留在家中，避免成为袭击目标。

 

In March 2009, the DRC's anti-government armed group "National Congress for the Defense of the People"(CNDP) signed a peace agreement with the government and joined the government forces. In 2012, some officers loyal to the original CNDP staged a mutiny, forming a new anti-government armed group called the "M23 movement," which launched offensives in the eastern DRC, causing numerous civilian casualties. In May 2022, the DRC government designated the "M23 movement" as a terrorist organization.

2009年3月，刚果（金）反政府武装“保卫人民国民大会”与政府签署和平协议，加入政府军。2012年，忠于原“保卫人民国民大会”的一些官兵发动兵变，组成新的反政府武装“M23运动”并在刚果（金）东部发动攻势，导致大量平民伤亡。2022年5月，刚果（金）政府将“M23运动”定性为恐怖组织。

 

In January 2025, the DRC's anti-government armed group "M23 movement" intensified its offensive, surrounding Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province in the eastern DRC. On January 25, the DRC military claimed that, with the support of the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping forces, the government forces had repelled the M23 movement's assault on Goma.

2025年1月，刚果（金）反政府武装“M23运动”加强攻势，对该国东部北基伍省首府戈马形成包围之势。刚果（金）军方25日称，在联合国刚果（金）稳定特派团（MONUSCO）和南部非洲发展共同体（SADC）维和部队的支援下，政府军击退了“M23运动”对戈马的攻势。

 

Since the evening of January 26, 2025, government forces and the M23 movement have been continuously clashing in and around Goma.

自2025年1月26日晚，政府军和“M23运动”在戈马市区及周边区域交火不断。

 

On January 27, 2025, the M23 movement claimed to have captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province.

当地时间2025年1月27日，刚果（金）反政府武装“M23运动”称已攻占北基伍省首府戈马。

 

On February 5, 2025, at dawn, the M23 movement seized the mining town of Nyabibwe in South Kivu Province.

当地时间2025年2月5日，刚果（金）反政府武装“M23运动”当日黎明时分抢占了该国南基伍省矿产小镇尼亚比布韦（Nyabibwe）。

 

On February 11, 2025, government forces and the M23 movement clashed again on the frontline in South Kivu Province. The M23 movement attacked the government forces' positions in South Kivu at dawn. The conflict took place near Ihure, about 70 kilometers from Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, and 40 kilometers from the South Kivu airport.

当地时间2025年2月11日，刚果（金）政府军与反政府武装组织“M23运动”在该国南基伍省前线再次爆发冲突。“M23运动”在黎明时分袭击了南基伍省的刚果（金）政府军阵地。此次冲突发生在伊胡西地区附近，距离南基伍省首府布卡武约70公里，距离南基伍省机场40公里。

 

On February 15, 2025, the M23 movement announced that it had taken control of the Kavumu Airport in South Kivu Province.

当地时间2025年2月15日，刚果（金）反政府武装“M23运动”宣布，已夺取刚果（金）南基伍省卡武穆机场的控制权。

 

Ports and Transportation in the DRC

刚果（金）港口和运输

The DRC has several major ports, including Matadi, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Likasi, Banana, Boma, Bukavu, and Goma.

刚果（金）主要港口有MATADI马塔迪、KINSHASA基桑加尼、LUBUMBASHI卢本巴希、LIKASI利卡西、BANANA巴努、BOMA博马、BUKAVU布卡万加、GOMA戈马。

 

Matadi Port: Located about 150 kilometers west of Kinshasa, Matadi Port is one of the largest ports in the DRC and the largest inland port with access to the Atlantic Ocean. Equipped with modern loading and unloading facilities, Matadi Port handles various types of cargo and is an important hub for the import and export of petroleum products, agricultural commodities, and manufactured goods.

马塔迪港口（Matadi Port）：位于刚果金首都金沙萨以西约150公里处，是刚果金最大的港口之一，也是通往大西洋的最大的内陆港口。马塔迪港口有现代化的装卸设备，可处理各种类型的货物，是石油产品、农产品和制成品等货物进出口的重要枢纽。

 

Boma Port: Also located on the Congo River near the Atlantic coast, Boma Port serves cargo and passenger ships and plays an important role in trade and cargo transportation in the region.

博马港（Boma Port）：也位于刚果河上，靠近大西洋海岸。博马港为货轮和客轮提供服务，在该地区的贸易和货物运输中发挥着重要作用。

 

Banana Port: Located about 100 kilometers west of Kinshasa, Banana Port is one of the oldest ports in the DRC, built in 1889. It has a small pier mainly used for ship docking and cargo transshipment.

巴努港口（Banana Port）：位于金沙萨以西约100公里处，是刚果金最古老的港口之一，建于1889年。巴努港口拥有一个小型的码头，主要用于船只停泊和货物转运。

 

Bukavu Port: Located on the shores of Lake Kivu in the eastern DRC, Bukavu Port is a transportation hub connecting Lake Kivu and the Nile River. It is a major commercial and trading center in the region, with goods including coffee, tobacco, and palm oil.

布卡万加港口（Bukavu Port）：位于刚果金东部的基伍湖畔，是连接基伍湖和尼罗河的交通枢纽。布卡万加港口是该地区主要的商业和贸易中心，货物包括咖啡、烟草和棕榈油等。

 

Kisangani Port: Located in the eastern DRC, Kisangani Port is the farthest inland port reachable on the Congo River. It is an important commercial and trading center in the region, with goods including timber, peanuts, and coffee.

基桑加尼港口（Kisangani Port）：位于刚果金东部，是刚果河上最远的可到达内陆港口。基桑加尼港口是该地区的重要商业和贸易中心，货物包括木材、花生和咖啡等。

 

The DRC is located in the heart of the African continent. There are two main maritime routes to reach the country.

刚果金位于非洲大陆腹地，海运到达此处，有两种方案。

 

The first option is to reach the western part of the DRC via maritime transport to Pointe-Noire Port and then transship to ports such as Matadi and Kinshasa.

一是到达刚果金的西部，海运到黑角港，再转运到马塔迪、金沙萨等等港口。

 

Although the DRC is situated in the middle of the African continent, it is not a completely landlocked country. Its only access to the sea is through the Congo River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

虽然刚果金位于非洲大陆的中间位置，但并不是完全的内陆国家。它唯一的出海通道，是流入大西洋的刚果河。

 

The major ports of the DRC include Matadi Port, Boma Port, and Banana Port. As larger container ships find it difficult to navigate the nearby waters, transshipment from Pointe-Noire is required to reach these ports.

刚果金的主要港口有马塔迪港、博马港、巴纳纳港。由于吨位较大的集装箱船很难进入附近流域，到达这些港口需要从黑角港转运。

 

The second option is to reach Lubumbashi in the DRC via maritime transport to Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania and then overland transport through Zambia.

二是海运到坦桑尼亚的达累斯萨拉姆港，转陆运，穿过赞比亚，到达刚果金的卢本巴希。

 

If the destination is the southeastern part of the DRC, transshipment via Dar es Salaam in Tanzania would be much more convenient.

如果要到达刚果金的东南部，从坦桑尼亚的DAR ES SALAAM转运会方便许多。

 

Maritime transport to Dar es Salaam, followed by overland transport through Zambia, is the route to reach Lubumbashi, the second-largest city of the DRC.

海运到DAR ES SALAAM，再通过陆运经过赞比亚转运，到达刚果金的第二大城市卢本巴希（Lubumbashi）。

 

Documents required for exports to the DRC include not only packing lists, invoices, contracts, customs declarations, and bills of lading but also some special documents.

出口到刚果金需要的单据，除了箱单、发票、合同、报关单、提单外，还有一些特殊的文件。

 

BV Certificate

BV证书

BV refers to the pre-shipment inspection certificate issued by Bureau Veritas. If the FOB value of the exported goods is equal to or higher than USD 2,500, or if required by the importer, a BV pre-shipment inspection is usually necessary. The BV inspection requires advance booking of a dedicated inspector. On the day of loading, cooperation with the inspector is essential. After loading is completed, in addition to the shipper's seal, the BV seal must also be applied.

BV是指 Bureau Veritas（必维国际检验集团）出具的装船前检验证书。如果出口货物的离岸价（FOB）价值等于或高于2500美元，或者进口商要求，通常需要进行BV装船前检验。BV检测需要提前预约专人监装，装箱当天积极配合监装人员工作，装箱完成后，除了要卡上船东的铅封，还要卡上BV的铅封。

 

FERI (Electronic Tracking Document)

FERI（电子跟踪单）

This is an important document required by the DRC government for the customs clearance of imported goods. It must be processed by the shipper with the designated government agency in the DRC before loading. Information such as commercial invoices, packing lists, container types, quantities, port of loading, port of destination, and ETA (estimated time of arrival) must be provided. After reviewing and charging the fee, the agency will issue the FERI document to the shipper, who will then provide it to the consignee for customs clearance at the destination port.

它是刚果金政府规定的用于进口货物清关的重要文件，由发货人在装船前向刚果金指定政府机构办理，需要提供商业发票、装箱单、箱型、箱量、起运港、目的港、ETA（预计到达时间）等信息。机构在审核并收费之后，会为发货人签发FERI文件，发货人再将FERI文件提供给收货人用于目的港清关。

 

T1 Certificate

T1证书

Issued by the Tanzania Revenue Authority, the T1 certificate plays a crucial role in the transportation and customs clearance process when goods are imported from other countries into Tanzania.

由坦桑尼亚税务局颁发的一种海关文件。当货物从其他国家进口到坦桑尼亚时，T1证书在货物运输和清关过程中起到关键的作用。

 

COD Certificate

COD证书

The COD certificate is a mandatory document required for the overland transportation of goods to the DRC.

COD证书是运往刚果金的货物在陆运时所需的强制性文件。

 

Movement Sheet

Movement Sheet（货物运输清单）

This is a document used to record detailed information about the transportation of goods. It includes basic information about the goods, the starting and ending points of transportation, the mode and means of transport, the time of transport, and information about the handlers.

它是一份用于记录货物运输详细信息的文件。内容包含货物基本信息、运输起点和终点、运输方式和工具、运输时间和经手人信息。

 

Peace is the prerequisite for development. We should strengthen international cooperation, promote economic development, establish trust mechanisms, ensure humanitarian needs, promote social inclusion, and enhance information transparency to avoid conflicts and create a good operating environment. We call on all parties to lay down their arms and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation. The international community should continue to play an active role in creating conditions for peace, encouraging economic development and regional cooperation, and promoting the prosperity of global trade.

和平是发展的前提。我们应通过加强国际合作、推动经济发展、建立信任机制、保障人道主义需求、促进社会包容和加强信息透明，避免冲突、营造良好的运营环境。我们呼吁各方放下武器，通过对话与协商解决分歧。国际社会应继续发挥积极作用，为和平创造有利条件，鼓励经济发展和区域合作，促进全球经济贸易的繁荣。

 

E-PORTS reminds all ship operators and managers: If you need to conduct port operations in the DRC recently, please contact E-PORTS in advance. The high-quality local agents on the E-PORTS platform in the DRC can bring you first-hand information to avoid unnecessary losses due to port unrest or closure. For more information, please call 400-9208810 for consultation.

E-PORTS提醒各船舶经营管理方：如近期需要前往刚果（金）进行港口作业，请提前联系E-PORTS，平台上入驻的刚果（金）港口当地优质代理，可以为您带来第一手消息，避免因港口动乱或关闭造成不必要的损失。