On December 7, Bombardier and the Transnet have celebrated the handover and acceptance of the first of 240 Bombardier Traxx for freight traffic in South Africa, at Transnet Engineering’s assembly plant in Durban.
“The handover and acceptance of the first Traxx locomotive Africa is fantastic news. We are committed to South Africa through local production, a strong local supply chain, job creation and transfer of technology, in line with the latest localization and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment programme (B-BBEE) requirements,” Aubrey Lekwane, Managing Director, Bombardier Transportation South Africa, said.
In 2014, Transnet Freight Rail awarded Bombardier the contract to supply 240 electric locomotives which will be used to transport coal and ore on long routes between mines, ports and urban areas. So far, 15 of the 240 electric multi-system locomotives have been completed and operation is expected to start on the Transnet Rail network at the beginning of 2018.
Over 60% of the total contract value of approximately ZAR 15 billion (EUR 933 million) will be spent on locally manufactured material, components and services for the locomotives, and the supply chain involves around 90 South African companies. Bombardier’s factory in Isando, Johannesburg produces the Bombardier Mitrac high power propulsion equipment, the car bodies are produced by DCD in Boksburg.
Transnet Engineering produces the bogies, and undertakes final assembly, commissioning and static testing in Durban. 140 Bombardier employees are currently involved in the production of the 240 locomotives.
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