Douala Port scanning crisis: GeCAM threatens suspension of trade declarations.

The decision was made public in a communiqué issued in Douala on Thursday, February 12, 2026 and signed by GeCAM's president, Tawamba Celestin. 

It disclosed that it had convened a high-level consultation with key actors of the Douala port community to examine the coexistence of two container scanning operators; that is Société Général des surveillances, SGS, and Transatlantic D SA — since the start of the year. 

The meeting, it said, ended with a myriad of immediate proposed solutions to the ongoing disruption at Cameroon’s main maritime gateway.

Participants at the meeting included representatives of the SCADTC, UCAM, GPAC, CNCC, SYNEFOR, GIMC, CROPLIFE, alongside several importers.

At the end of deliberations, the business community unanimously denounced what it termed an unprecedented and totally unacceptable situation, with far-reaching consequences for enterprises and the national economy.

According to GECAM, the dual scanning system has led to prolonged port transit times, systematic double billing for scanning services, and increased logistics costs, including congestion charges and demurrage. The group further warned that the situation is already causing production slowdowns and raising the risk of supply shortages for certain goods.

These disruptions, GECAM noted, could translate into higher prices for final consumers, encourage the development of smuggling, and significantly reduce the competitiveness of the Port of Douala, which has for decades remained a vital artery of the Cameroonian economy.

GECAM also pointed at 'near-total paralysis' of customs clearance and cargo loading operations at the port in recent days, coupled with a serious deterioration of the business climate.

Ultimatum issued 

GECAM has called on the competent authorities to immediately normalise the situation by enforcing a single scanning operation and a single payment system. It further demanded the creation of a joint administration, private sector commission to assess the additional costs incurred by businesses and ensure full reimbursement.

The group also urged the authorities to freeze recent tariff increases decided by PAD until a thorough evaluation of their impact on port transit costs and enterprises is conducted.

Failing the definitely resolve the fracas, GECAM warned that companies would be left with no option but to implement, as a precautionary measure from Monday, February 16, 2026, a temporary suspension of the submission of import and export declarations, as well as customs declarations.

PAD expresses “surprise,” defends reforms

Reacting to GeCAM's outing, PAD said it is “astonished” that GECAM, of which it is an active member, did not first seek direct consultation with port authorities before issuing its communiqué.

In a press release signed by the Head of the Communication Division, Raoul Simplice Minglo, PAD reaffirmed that its core mandate remains the safety and security of vessels, cargo, port installations, and personnel, while preserving the competitiveness and operational performance of the Port of Douala-Bonabéri.

The port authority explained that the reorganisation of non-intrusive control measures, including 100 percent scanning of goods, is being implemented in strict compliance with existing laws and in line with directives issued by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute.

On the issue of tariffs, PAD clarified that port charges cannot be applied without prior approval from the National Ports Authority, following consultations with members of the port community. It stressed that the tariffs currently in force have been duly homologated and apply equally to all authorised private operators within the port complex.

PAD, through its release, further pointed out that the real systemic risk to economic activity lies in the decision by Customs to suspend the liquidation of declarations, rather than in the scanning of goods itself.

While reaffirming its openness to dialogue, the port authority urged all actors in the logistics chain to avoid any actions that could disrupt port operations, stressing that continuity of services is vital to Cameroon’s foreign trade and the wider sub-regional economy.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3705 of Monday February 16, 2026