The controversy surrounding container scanning operations at the Douala Autonomous Port (PAD) has come to a decisive end, with TransAtlantic D S.A. officially stepping aside and Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) regaining control of the service.
The transition was sealed on February 10, 2026, when TransAtlantic formally handed back key computer equipment used in cargo verification and digital supervision. The restitution marked the effective termination of its partnership with Cameroon Customs and cleared the way for SGS to fully resume operations.
The decision follows directives issued after a high-level meeting at the Presidency in late January, aimed at restructuring public-private partnerships in strategic port services. Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze subsequently instructed the reorganization, signaling the government’s intention to reinforce oversight and stabilize operations at the country’s main maritime gateway.
For several weeks, uncertainty had clouded the port community amid tensions over control of the scanning segment. Stakeholders had raised concerns about possible disruptions to cargo clearance and revenue collection. With TransAtlantic’s departure and SGS officially reinstated, that chapter of friction appears to have closed.
Authorities say the return of SGS is part of broader reforms designed to enhance transparency, strengthen state control over sensitive customs operations, and safeguard public revenue. The government is also emphasizing continuity of service to ensure that importers, exporters, and freight forwarders experience no delays in cargo processing.
As Cameroon’s principal hub for international trade, the Douala Port plays a critical role in the national economy. The restoration of SGS to the scanning platform is expected to bring stability and clarity to port operations after weeks of speculation and internal tension.
With the handover complete, attention now turns to the effectiveness of the renewed arrangement and its impact on efficiency, traceability, and revenue security at the country’s busiest port.
