On March 8, Mercitalia Rail has received the first of 40 new Traxx E494 electric locomotives, produced by Bombardier Transportation at Vado Ligure plant. Under the contract, Bombardier will deliver Mercitalia Rail five locomotives per month, with the completion of the supply by October 2019. The EUR 180 million contract includes 16 years of fleet maintenance and an option for 20 additional locomotives.
“Mercitalia is largest Italian player on European freight market, with an annual consolidated turnover of over EUR 1 billion. It currently owns one of the most important fleets of locomotives and freight cars in Europe,” Gianfranco Battisti, the CEO of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane said.
The vehicles have a maximum traction power of 6.4 MW and a traction force of 320kN will allow Mercitalia Rail to circulate freight trains with a higher load capacity than currently possible. Moreover, thanks to self-generating brake systems, it will significantly reduce energy consumption.
“The new locomotives together with the interoperable ones already ordered by TX Logistik – the German company of Mercitalia Polo, are the most important investment, with a total value of EUR 400 million. This allows us to renew, in the next two years, about a third of the owned locomotive fleet in order to offer our customers greater transport capacity and more reliable and timely services,” Marco Gosso CEO of Mercitalia Logistics said.
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