PORT SECURITY : The PAD Entrusts the Security of the Port of Douala-Bonabéri to K9 Sarlu

(LVDE) — The Port Authority of Douala is strengthening its security framework with the introduction of a canine unit. Through a public-private partnership concluded with K9 Sarlu, the port authority has taken a further step toward modernizing and securing Cameroon’s main maritime gateway.

The Port of Douala-Bonabéri continues its transition toward international security standards. On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the Managing Director of the Port Authority of Douala (PAD), Cyrus Ngo’o, officially signed a partnership agreement with the specialized firm K9 Sarlu, represented by its Managing Director, Serge Tsitsol. The ceremony took place in the conference room of the PAD headquarters in Bonanjo, in the presence of port officials and key stakeholders from the maritime sector.

The agreement provides for the establishment of a canine unit dedicated to search and inspection operations within the Port of Douala-Bonabéri. The mandate entrusted to K9 Sarlu covers the entire project cycle, from design and financing to operational management, followed by the eventual transfer of the activity to the port authority. The project is being implemented under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) public-private partnership model, fully financed by the private partner, with no financial guarantee from the PAD or involvement of the Government of Cameroon.

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Through this initiative, the Port Authority of Douala aims to strengthen its security capabilities in response to growing challenges related to illicit trafficking, the circulation of prohibited goods, unauthorized intrusions, and the issue of stowaways. The deployment of canine teams, widely recognized for their effectiveness in detection tasks, will further enhance the security measures already in place at the port.

This new security component is in line with prevailing international regulations, particularly those issued by the International Maritime Organization through its specialized bodies on maritime security and trade facilitation. It also contributes to the port’s compliance with the requirements of commercial partners and shipping lines operating along sub-regional and international corridors.

Beyond its immediate operational impact, the partnership reflects the PAD’s determination to position the Port of Douala-Bonabéri as a modern, reliable, and competitive infrastructure. Launched in 2016, the port’s transformation strategy seeks to enhance the site’s attractiveness, secure trade flows, and strengthen the confidence of economic operators, shipowners, and institutional partners. With the introduction of the canine unit, Cameroon’s leading port is further asserting its ambition to establish itself as a safe and credible logistics hub in Central Africa.

Raphael Mforlem