BRAZIL: GE Transportation has announced its first order for the Evolution ES43BBi, an eight-axle diesel locomotive with AC traction motors developed specifically for 1 000 mm gauge railways in Brazil. Paper manufacturer Klabin has ordered seven locomotives to be delivered at the start of 2016.
The locomotives will be used to haul trains on the América Latina Logística network, between a new cellulose plant that Klabin is building and the port of Paranaguá in Paraná state. The new plant will have a production capacity of 1∙5 million tonnes/year.
GE expects to begin testing the new locomotives during the second quarter of 2015. The manufacturer will also provide technical assistance as well as training for Klabin and ALL staff.
