Rail transport in Cameroon is primarily operated by Camrail, a subsidiary of Bolloré Africa Logistics.
History In January 2022, it was announced that container shipping company MSC would take over Bolloré Africa Logistics, the parent company of Camrail. It is uncertain whether MSC, which has an annual turnover of around €30 billion, will maintain passenger transport on Cameroon's railways or prioritise the movement of its own containers. The development contrasts with the railways of neighbouring Nigeria, where passenger transport is making a profit and freight transport is in decline.
Infrastructure
Separate from the metre gauge mainlines were narrow gauge plantation railways, especially in the Tiko area. These served cocoa and sugar plantations.http://www.gouverneur-ebermaier.de/english/historie.htm
Possible extensions There are plans for an iron ore railway, which however might be isolated from existing railways. The distance from the mine to sport is about 510 km. A connection to the nearest Camrail line at Mbalmayo on the Nyong River would be 350 km long. Because of the heavy tonnages to be carried, this railway is to be (standard gauge). The railway would run from mines near Mbalam to a new port at Kribi. The expected traffic is 35 million tonnes per year for 25 years.
Extensions of the rail network to Maroua and Yokadouma to promote the forestry industry have also been recommended.
In December 2010, it was reported that a South Korean consortium planned to build new railways in Cameroon.
Adjacent countries There are no links yet to railways in adjoining countries. The nearest the Nigerian railway system () approaches Cameroon is Maiduguri over 100 km from the northern Cameroon border. The Gabon rail system (1,435 mm 4ft 8.5in) and Congolese rail systems gauge do not run near to the Cameroonian border.
In 2011 funding for construction of a standard gauge railway line in Chad was obtained; the construction would include a line to Moundou and Koutéré near the Cameroon border, as well as a link to Nyala on the border with Sudan.
Rolling stock Locomotives Type Built Manufacturer Notes BB 1000 1978 Moyse ? Only one (BB 1039) left in service in 2012 in Douala BB 1100 1981 Alstom 20 1101–1120 BB 1200 1968 Alstom 20 1201–1213 3 remained in 2012 CC 2200 1980 MLW/Bombardier 30 2201–2230 CC 2600 1975 GM-EMD 6 2601–2606 Series 34-800 obtained from Spoornet, South Africa CC 3301 2009 NREC 2 3301–3302 Freight locomotives CC 35.2 1974 GM-EMD 6 ? Series 35-200 leased 2000–2003 from Spoornet, South Africa ZE 500 1976 Alstom 5 501–505 Former series 9600 obtained from CP (Portugal) in 2005
Standards Metre gauge Brakes: Westinghouse Air Couplings: SA3 Loading gauge width Curve radius minimum Axleload 20.0 tonne
Standard gauge Brakes Couplings Loading gauge width. Curve radius minimum Axleload 37.5 tonne
See also Railway stations in Cameroon
References
External links