River transport is one of the most widely used modes of transportation, used throughout DR Congo. The river Congo which is 4700 kilometres (2915 miles) long is one of the several waterways of the country.

Though unfortunate, but it is a recurrent phenomenon in Congo where overcrowded boats kill scores every year in boat disasters.

In November 2009, at least 73 people died when two linked barges sank on Mai-Ndombe lake in Bandundu province. In September 2009, no less than 250 people died in three boat accidents on Congolese waterways.