NYSE-listed Wabtec Corporation has been awarded a $248-million order for Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives and services from Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), to support the latter's rail operations at the high-grade iron-ore project, in Guinea.
The agreement follows a locomotive order a few months earlier from SimFer – a Rio Tinto joint venture – to serve its operations at Simandou.
The combined orders for the project, valued at more than $500-million, represent one of Wabtec’s largest international locomotive agreements in the past five years.
The ES43ACmi is a dual-cab locomotive with a 4 500 hp Evolution Series engine. The locomotive provides exceptional fuel efficiency, and proven performance in harsh, high-temperature environments, such as eastern Guinea.
Wabtec will begin delivering locomotives for the Simandou project this year.
“As the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron-ore deposit, Simandou represents a transformational economic opportunity for Guinea, and Wabtec’s commitment extends beyond delivering advanced locomotive solutions to ensure the success of this critical initiative in partnership with WCS and SimFer.
“We are also committed to the development of Guinea by fostering local employment, developing indigenous talent and empowering local businesses to support the operation and maintenance of this vital rail network,” comments Wabtec sub-Saharan Africa regional VP Mpilo Dlamini.
WCS CEO Zhang Cheng adds that the locomotive order is an important milestone for the Simandou project.
“As work continues to build the TransGuinéen railway, we will have the equipment in place that supports the high international standards that we’ve committed to deliver,” he says.
The 600 km TransGuinéen Railway is under construction to connect the Simandou mine and the Port of Morebaya. 