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Etihad Rail’s first fleet of new locomotives and wagons has arrived in the UAE.
Etihad Rail’s new fleet of locomotives unloaded at UAE port
© Etihad Rail
When completed, the new fleet will operate across the UAE national rail network, increasing its capacity to over 60 million tonnes of cargo per year.
The trains will also help reduce CO2 emissions by 70-80%.
The fleet has been designed specifically with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) location in mind. These vehicles can withstand the high temperatures and humidity levels in the region, ensuring optimum levels of performance, efficiency and sustainability.
To support its expanding network, Etihad Rail is increasing its heavy freight locomotive fleet to 45 heavy transport locomotives: six times its current fleet.
The EMD SD70 electric diesel locomotives are manufactured and supplied by Progress Rail and each provide 4,600 bhp. With one of the most powerful engines in the Middle East, they can each pull 100 lorries – the equivalent of 300 trucks of capacity.
The locomotive is equipped with a pulse sand filter system to ensure the efficient operation of the locomotive when crossing desert areas. They also feature advanced in-vehicle technologies and systems such as ETCS Level 2.
In addition, Etihad Rail’s fleet of utility trucks will triple to more than 1,000 vehicles.
Manufactured and supplied by CRRCthese vans are equipped with the latest braking, signaling, control, communication and safety systems.
The diversity of trucks will increase the flexibility and ability to transport goods of all sizes, including petrochemicals, raw steel and its products, limestone, cement, construction materials, industrial and household waste, aluminum, food and various commodities.
This will help reduce shipping costs by 30% and improve logistics efficiency. It will also reduce road congestion caused by trucks.
His Excellency Shadi Malak, CEO of Etihad Rail, attended a special event in Al Mirfa, Abu Dhabi, to announce the arrival of the fleet in the UAE; Marty Haycraft, President and CEO of Progress Rail; and CRRC Middle East and North Africa Executive Director Henry Pang.
The fleet will be stored in this location until the network construction is complete.
“The arrival of the new fleet of locomotives and wagons in the UAE on schedule reflects the level of achievement the Etihad Rail project has achieved in the development of the UAE’s national rail network.
“We ensured that the company’s new fleet is one of the most modern in the region and in the world, offering the highest safety standards in design, ensuring the best specifications for sustainability and environmental protection, and incorporating the latest in train operating technology and monitoring .
“We also ensure that the fleet is suitable for the local geography and climate of the UAE and the region, and to meet the current and future needs of Etihad Rail customers, including industrial companies, shipping companies, building material suppliers, quarryers and more.”
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