• Camrail now maintains GE locomotive compressors locally, ending U.S. shipments
  
• Move saves up to 25M CFA per unit, boosts technical autonomy in Douala
• Operator targets regional railway hub status with expanded repair capacity
  

Cameroun's railway operator Camrail will no longer send compressor units from its General Electric locomotives to the United States for maintenance. The company, controlled by Africa Global Logistics (AGL), announced on Thursday it will now handle all maintenance operations for these components locally.

Previously, only pneumatic maintenance was performed in Cameroon while electrical components were serviced by GE in the United States. Camrail said its technicians at the Bassa workshops in Douala developed specialized tools to disassemble and reassemble the complex equipment internally.

The achievement will reduce maintenance delays and save between 20 and 25 million CFA francs per compressor, according to the company. "This technical advancement perfectly illustrates our commitment to strengthening Camrail's industrial autonomy while valuing local expertise," said CEO Joel Hounsinou.

Camrail claims recognized expertise in overhauling various compressor types and other railway equipment. The company is pursuing certification from German manufacturer Knorr-Bremse to expand its repair capabilities for additional components.

The operator aims to become a regional maintenance hub for African railways. It has established a 35-hectare maintenance center in Douala with ten workshops and 343 workers. The facility includes simulators to test refurbished equipment under real operating conditions.

"Other African networks typically lack maintenance centers and rely on manufacturers for equipment overhaul," said Ndzana Jean Ottou, Camrail's rolling stock coordinator, in January 2025. "With our center, Camrail offers its expertise to help these networks reduce their repair costs."

BRM, Business in Cameroon