Four newly acquired GL30 locomotives arrived at the con 6 February, marking a significant investment in Cameroon’s rail capacity to strengthen the country’s freight logistics chain.
The engines, shipped from Richards Bay in South Africa, were received on the quay by Pierre Ngon, Camrail’s Managing Director, along with operational teams.
The delivery is part of the company’s fleet modernisation drive, aimed at increasing traction capacity and improving service reliability for strategic freight customers.
Before entering service, the locomotives will undergo customs clearance and be transferred to the Bassa Central Workshops for final adjustments and both static and dynamic testing ahead of commercial commissioning.
The four units are part of a larger order of eight locomotives placed by Africa Global Logistics (AGL) for its West and Central African rail subsidiaries, including Sitarail in Côte d’Ivoire and Camrail in Cameroon.
The cost of the order has not been disclosed. The engines were manufactured by Grindrod and delivered by Railco Africa, Business news agency in Cameroon reported.
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Gilbert Kana Pondy, Camrail’s Deputy Managing Director, had previously announced that new locomotives would be acquired by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
“With this new acquisition, the expected impact is an improvement in traction capacity and service quality,” he said during a rail safety awareness tour conducted between 19 and 22 January 2026.
Company officials noted that the GL30 units are equipped with computerised control systems, onboard diagnostic devices, and reinforced safety mechanisms designed to optimise train operations and reduce technical incidents.
The locomotives also feature ergonomic, air-conditioned driver cabins. This investment is part of Camrail’s wider strategy to modernise its traction fleet, support freight growth, and enhance overall rail service performance across Cameroon’s logistics and industrial sectors.
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Image Credit: MMI News
