CAMEROON: Bolloré Railways subsidiary Camrail took delivery of five 3 300 hp GE Transportation diesel locomotives at the Port of Douala on January 17.
Camrail ordered the locomotives from the USA at cost of FrCFA12·3bn, as part of a deal under which the government of Cameroon has also ordered four locomotives which are to follow.
Bolloré said the acquisition continued its intention to keep investing in rail transport in Central Africa despite the current weakness of the freight market in Chad. Camrail sent 12 staff for training at GE sites in the USA before the arrival of the locomotives.
The orders form part of the government’s second five-year plan for rail investment. French-Korean company CIM-SSRT is preferred bidder for a contract to supply 25 coaches, and Stadler is reportedly to deliver five railcars.
