News from the world rail freight market.
Zagro Group subsidiary Gmeinder Lokomotiven has delivered two D60 C three-axle 708 kW diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotives to K+S for operations at the Werra potash plant. K+S has ordered four more vehicles which will provide it with a uniform locomotive fleet.
Six European rail trade associations covering the rail freight sector issued a joint statement on December 4 reiterating their concern about the European Commission’s proposed Greening Freight Transport legislation. ‘With today’s adoption by the Council of a general approach on the weights and dimensions of commercial road vehicles, the road transport sector can expect economic gains, but society will have to wait for any reduction of the environmental footprint of logistics’, the letter said, which was signed by CER, UNIFE, UIRR, UIP, ERFA and Rail Freight Forward. ‘As the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament prepare for interinstitutional negotiations, the European associations representing rail and intermodal transport urge EU legislators not to lose sight of the broader, long-term vision of a logistics ecosystem that is interoperable and capable of delivering on shared transport, energy, climate, environmental, and social objectives.’
Lineas has renewed an agreement to lease 33 electric locomotives from Railpool for another six years. There is an option to lease additional or new locomotive types in the future, giving Lineas the flexibility to adapt to changing market demands and technological developments. ‘Our mission is clear: we want to offer our customers the best rail solutions: reliable, competitive and efficient’, said Lineas COO Alban François on December 3. ‘Extending our partnership with Railpool gives us the flexibility we need to respond quickly to market demands.’
Cando Rail & Terminals has completed the previously announced acquisition of the rail terminal and associated operations operated by Texas Deepwater Partners. TDP was a joint venture project formed by USD Group and Pinto Realty Partners to develop an energy logistics terminal on the Houston Ship Channel. ‘Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we add our first terminal in the United States to our network of terminals’, said Brian Cornick, President & CEO of Cando. ‘With existing capacity of 900 railcars, surplus real estate for future growth, and connections to the BNSF Railway, CPKC, and Union Pacific Railroad networks through the Port Terminal Railroad Association, the terminal supports both existing and new shipper-customers, as well as existing and new Class I railroad partnerships.
Essinge Rail has been fully integrated into Nurminen Logistics, which acquired it in 2024. All services are now provided under the Nurminen Logistics brand. The company said the integration provides customers with expanded rail freight capacity throughout the Nordics and Europe, comprehensive multimodal links with Asia and specialised expertise in project and heavy cargo operations as well as dangerous goods warehousing.
Union Tank Car has donated a tank wagon to the Calumet City Public Safety Training Center to support hands-on training for the Chicago Fire Department, Calumet City Fire Department and nearby municipalities. ‘Rail incidents are complex, and firefighters need to understand the real hazards they’ll face in the field’, said Lt Matt Drew of the Chicago Fire Department. ‘This rail tank car gives us the ability to practice safe, methodical response techniques before we ever encounter a true emergency, which ultimately protects both our firefighters and the community.’
Erion France is to provide mobile maintenance for Railpool Traxx MS3 locomotives and, eventually, other types of rolling stock. Erion was founded in January 2007 and is owned by Stadler Rail Valencia (51%) and RENFE Ingeniería y Mantenimiento (49%).