RheinCargo has ordered two new Vossloh DE18 diesel locomotives for delivery in October, joining its current fleet of six. It has also acquired three ex-DB Bombardier Traxx locomotives, which will be used from May on Köln – Hamburg intermodal services. RheinCargo now has 30 Traxx locos.
BYD is to launch the next generation of its 8Y battery electric yard tractor at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo this month. BNSF has ordered 14 for use at two intermodal facilities in southern California. The second-generation yard tractor incorporated improvements based on feedback from six first-generation tractors, which have been in use at BNSF intermodal rail facilities in San Bernardino and City of Commerce since last year. The demonstration project is being largely paid for with a $9·1m grant from the California Air Resources Board.
During the TransRussia trade fair ČD Cargo and RŽD Logistics signed a memorandum for co-operation in the development of international transport services and joint market research.
Rail Cargo Group and the Digital Logistics joint venture of Russian Railways and digital platform developer INTELLEX have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote the joint development, standardisation and digitalisation operational processes. ‘This will strengthen cross-border co-operation between Europe and Russia, and drive the implementation of reliable continental end-to-end logistics’, said RCG board member Thomas Kargl.
United Transport and Logistics Co - Eurasian Rail Alliance transported 62 622 TEU by rail in Q1 2019, up 54% on the same period last year. Gross traffic volume on Europe – China routes totalled 27 086 TEU for the first three months of 2019, and 35 536 TEU on China – Europe routes, an increase of 69% and 44% respectively.
CSX Corp has announced Q1 2019 net earnings of $834m, up from $695m in 2018. The operating ratio set a company Q1 record of 59·5, significantly improved from 63·7 in the prior year. Revenue increased 5% to $3·01bn, driven by merchandise volume growth and broad-based pricing gains. Expenses decreased 2% year on year to $1·79bn.
During the TransRussia exhibition on April 15 Latvia’s LDz Loģistika signed co-operation agreements with Russian companies First Freight Co, First Federal Counter-Carrier Operator and Digital Logistics with the aim of increasing cross-border freight traffic.
Kansas City Southern has reported record Q1 revenues of $675m, an increase of 6% from Q1 2018. Revenues increased in four commodity groups, led by a 21% increase in Chemicals & Petroleum due to refined product shipments to Mexico. Agriculture & Minerals grew by 8%, driven by improved network cycle times. Energy and Industrial & Consumer Products also grew 5% and 2%, respectively. These increases were partially offset by revenue declines in Automotive and Intermodal of 4% and 12%, owing to car plant shutdowns and protests.