New Locomotives Will Help Customer Transport Phosphate from Mines
CONTAGEM, Brazil--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Four new modernized GE C24 MMI locomotives are now Jordan-bound to help Aqaba Railway Corporation provide reliable and efficient rail service as part of its large phosphate mining operations. Aqaba Railway Corporation operates a diesel locomotive fleet of 24 units that transport phosphate rock from the mines to the port of Aqaba.
"With these new modernized 12-cylinder locomotives, GE and Aqaba Railway Corporation are helping to deliver raw materials to manufacturers around the world more efficiently and reliably," says John Dineen, President and CEO of GE's Transportation business. "These C series locomotives have more hauling ability and meet the U.S. Tier I emissions standards, making them a great fit for markets around the world like South America, Africa and the Middle East."
Weighing in at 20 metric tons of axle, this set of GE's C24 MMI series locomotives provides 2400 horsepower and features GE's Brightstar technology. Brightstar is an advanced digital microprocessor system that helps customers maximize fleet capacity by controlling and monitoring all critical locomotive systems, such as temperature, fuel, water, horsepower and more. The self-diagnostic feature of the system can improve troubleshooting, reduce maintenance and minimize road failures, allowing customers to achieve up to 25% more productivity from their locomotive fleet and generate further savings on maintenance and fuel.
"In 2006, Aqaba Railway Corporation transported 2.7 million tons of phosphate to its global customers," said Eng. Hussain Krishan, Director General ARC. "With the purchase of these new GE locomotives, we expect our production to increase by 0.7 million tons per year."
The locomotives were shipped in late March from GE's manufacturing facility in Contagem, Brazil, and will arrive in Jordan in late April. GE has been producing and exporting locomotives globally from Brazil for more than 40 years and was recognized this year by the largest rail magazine in Brazil, Revista Ferroviaria, as Best Rail Industry Manufacturer of Brazil. GE -- Transportation employs approximately 400 employees at its Contagem facility in Brazil.
About GE - Transportation
GE - Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), delivers technology solutions for the rail, marine, and mining industries. Products and services include freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for marine and stationary power applications and motorized systems for mining trucks and drills.