Camrail GE compressor maintenance is shifting from the United States to Cameroon. The railway operator has stopped sending compressor units from its General Electric locomotives overseas and is moving all servicing to local workshops in Douala, a change first highlighted by Ecofin Agency.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Camrail GE compressor maintenance goes fully local in Douala

• Camrail has brought maintenance of GE locomotive compressors in-house, ending shipments to the United States

• The transition is expected to save up to 25 million CFA francs per compressor and strengthen technical autonomy in Douala

• The operator is positioning itself as a regional railway maintenance hub with expanded repair capacity

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Camrail GE compressor maintenance builds local autonomy

Cameroon’s railway operator, Camrail, which is controlled by Africa Global Logistics (AGL), has decided that compressor units from its General Electric locomotives will no longer be sent to the United States for servicing. Instead, all work on these components will be handled as local maintenance in Douala, using the company’s own facilities and teams, a step also detailed by Railways Africa.

Previously, Camrail only dealt with pneumatic maintenance of the compressors in Cameroon, while the electrical sections were shipped to GE facilities in the U.S. for overhaul. According to the company, technicians at the Bassa workshops in Douala have developed specialized tools and procedures that now allow them to dismantle and reassemble these complex GE locomotive compressors entirely on site.

The shift in Camrail GE compressor maintenance is expected to both shorten maintenance lead times and reduce costs. The company estimates that performing the work locally will generate savings of between 20 and 25 million CFA francs for each compressor serviced. CEO Joel Hounsinou describes the move as a milestone in building industrial self-reliance and emphasizes that the new capability highlights Camrail’s efforts to strengthen its autonomy while valuing local expertise.

Douala maintenance center targets regional rail hub role

Camrail reports that its teams already have recognized expertise in overhauling different types of compressors and other railway equipment. To broaden the range of components it can handle and reinforce its status as a regional railway maintenance hub in Africa, the operator is seeking certification from German manufacturer Knorr-Bremse, which would allow it to expand repair services to additional parts.

At the same time, the company is working to position its Douala site as a maintenance hub for African railways. In the city, Camrail operates a 35-hectare maintenance complex with ten workshops and a workforce of 343 employees. The center is equipped with simulators that make it possible to test refurbished equipment under conditions that closely replicate real railway operations.

The growing focus on in-house repair and overhaul at Camrail mirrors broader industry trends toward specialized third-party workshops and independent maintenance providers. As noted by Railway Supply in a feature on railway equipment repair and maintenance, strong workshop capabilities and local technical skills are increasingly viewed as a strategic asset for operators seeking to control costs and reduce downtime.

According to rolling stock coordinator Ndzana Jean Ottou, many other African railway networks do not have dedicated maintenance centers and often depend on manufacturers to carry out equipment overhauls. Speaking in January 2025, he stressed that Camrail’s center in Douala is intended to offer its expertise to these operators and help them lower their repair costs.

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