Douala Port deploys 100% container scanning system.

The tour was led by the Assistant Director of Exploitation at the Container Terminal management, Ayinda Cyrille, barely days after the new system became operational.

The implementation of a 100% scanning control system came amid persistent smuggling and counterfeiting, fueled by a border control system deemed ineffective. 

The 100% scanning initiative pursues a dual objective: firstly, to strengthen the verification of goods at customs checkpoints; and secondly, to enable the collection of revenue proportional to the value of the goods inspected. 

According to a document dated November 14, 2025 announcing the signing of a contract between the Port Authority and Translatic SA for the concession of scanning activities of goods, the strategic role of the Douala Port in Bonabéri was presented as a principal platform and a point of reference in the Gulf of Guinea.

As such, the Port’s top management had taken the stance to maintain the prestigious role in executing transactions within regulated time, while keeping up with international standards of port management. 

However, Ayinda Cyrille in his presentation, explained that this was not what obtained with the former system and or when Bolloré was managing the container terminal, the scanner was farther from the containers and this cost a loss in time value. 

Presently, he said, that has changed. At the heart of the reform is a major operational shift: the scanner now comes to the container, instead of the container moving to a distant scanning zone.

“Previously, containers had to leave the operational area and travel across the terminal to reach a fixed scanner, which caused delays and congestion. Today, the scanner is positioned right next to the discharge area,” Ayinda explained.

The mobile scanners could now be seen integrated directly into the container handling workflow, allowing containers to be scanned immediately after discharge from vessels, before proceeding to the stacking yards. 

According to PAD officials, this has eliminated unnecessary movements, reduced fuel consumption, and cut scanning time from 15–20 minutes to less than one minute per truck.

Contrary to fears that 100% scanning could slow down port operations, PAD officials maintained that the opposite is happening at the yard. 

Demonstration from offloading operation with a just landed ship, Ayinda said: “There is no slowdown in activity. On the contrary, we have faster vessel turnaround, zero waiting time at anchorage, and smoother traffic inside the terminal”.

On-time data and use Artificial Intelligence

The reform was seen to be particularly crucial for a river port dependent on tides, where delays can have downturn effects on shipping schedules, logistics costs, and ultimately consumer prices.

“With this system, ships must come in and leave on time. Any delay here is felt across the supply chain and even in the household basket,” he added.

The new scanning system, the Director noted, is fully integrated with the port’s digital ecosystem. 

Using Artificial Intelligence, CCTV, Optical Character Recognition, OCR, and instant data transmission, information on container number, seal, type, origin and content are made available in real time to Customs and other stakeholders.

“It’s a full option, once a container passes through the scanner, all data is instantly injected or integrated into the system. Customs can begin valuation immediately, without waiting,” Ayinda said. 

He added that this real-time availability of data enhances transparency, reduces human intervention, and strengthens risk analysis for imports and exports alike.

Optimal security without intrusion

Meanwhile, on the technical innovations, Emmanuel Tagne, IT technician at Transatlantic DSA, the new concessioner, said the scanners are of latest generation, capable of detecting weapons, explosives, narcotics, undeclared currency and other threats.

“A truck moves at five kilometres per hour and in one minute we produce a fully exploitable image. The scan values and images are immediately available to all authorised partners,” Tagne explained.

He added that strict safety measures have been put in place, including reinforced concrete shield over two metres thick to absorb radiation, as well as trained image analysts and backup scanners to ensure continuity of operations.

It is worth recalling that as of January 1, 2026, scanning operations at the Port of Douala are officially handled by Transatlantic DSA, which replaces Société Générale de Surveillance, SGS, after nearly a decade.

Under the agreement based on a Build-Operate-Transfer, BOT, model, the concessioner, Transatlantic SA, will invest 192.9 billion FCFA to acquire, install, operate and maintain eight scanners, including backup units, before retrocession to the State. 

The project is expected to generate over 83 billion FCFA in combined revenues for Douala Port Authority, PAD, and the State, alongside more than 40 billion FCFA in taxes, while contributing to job creation and skills development. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3665 of Tuesday January 06, 2026