Körfez Ulaştırma A.Ş. has received 5 new diesel-electric locomotives from the American company Wabtec Corp. – which recently merged with GE Transportation – to accompany their existing fleet of 5 leased diesel locomotives.
Körfez Ulaştırma A.Ş. is a subsidiary of Tüpraş, Turkey’s largest oil refinery operator. The order for the new locomotives was originally announced at InnoTrans in September 2018.
Improved Oil Transport Operations
Two years ago the Turkish government began issuing licences to private operating companies that wished to use its mainlines. Since this change, Körfez Ulaştırma A.Ş. has become the first private company to purchase new rolling stock. Körfez Ulaştırma A.Ş. hopes the new locomotives will improve operations between the Tüpraş refineries and related fuel terminals.
Tufan Başarır, General Manager for Körfez Ulaştırma A.Ş., said:
“We have been working to increase the speed and productivity of our logistics as we expand our operations.
“Now that we have five powerful locomotives added to our fleet, we are able to move goods between Tüpraş Refineries and the fuel terminals more efficiently and better meet our customers’ needs.”
Wabtec PowerHaul Locomotives
The mid-weight locomotives Körfez Ulaştırma A.Ş. has ordered are a part of Wabtec’s PowerHaul® series. PowerHaul® locomotives are compliant with EU Stage IIIa emissions and TSI interoperability standards. The locomotives feature AC traction-control technology, individual axle-control and a 16-cylinder 3,700 HP PowerHaul P616 engine with common-rail fuel injection. Due to this, the locomotives will be able to achieve maximum power output whilst providing an 18-percent reduction in fuel consumption.
Gökhan Bayhan, Russia / CIS / Middle East and North Africa Regional General Manager for Wabtec, said:
“We have a long-distance partnership with Turkey that will continue beyond the delivery of these new locomotives.
“With the locomotives in operation, Wabtec will be providing service support and technical expertise to maximise performance through their lifecycle.”
Eskisehir Manufacturing Facility
As part of a partnership agreement with Wabtec, TÜLOMSAŞ manufacture, assemble and provide final testing on orders for the European, Middle Eastern and North African markets. Consequently, the 5 locomotives ordered by Körfez Ulaştırma A.Ş. were built at TÜLOMSAŞ’s facility in Eskisehir, Turkey.
Hayri Avcı, General Manager of TÜLOMSAŞ, said:
“The delivery of these first-class locomotives is an important milestone.
“At TÜLOMSAŞ, we are supporting the production of the cutting-edge locomotives on the basis of our knowledge, qualified workforce, and skills.”
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