Largest Rail Signaling Project in South America for GE
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, July 2, 2008 -- GE - Transportation, a unit of the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), announced today that it has been awarded a $60 million contract from Vale to overhaul its signaling and communication system along approximately 600Km of double line track on the Railroad Vitória to Minas (EFVM) and in the rail yard of the Tubarão Port. The project is expected to be complete by 2010.
A complete, cost-effective signaling and communications system, the project will upgrade relay-based equipment that is up to 30 years old. In addition, it will increase transport capacity by 23% through diminishing the distance needed between trains while ensuring continued safe operation. The project will utilize GE's state-of-the-art ElectroLogIXSä signaling platform that provides control of power switch machines and lighting of signal lamps, replacing relays at railroad crossings. The ElectroLogIXS system will allow Vale to simplify the continued upgrade of their rail network's interlocking control systems over time to increase network velocity and capacity.
The project also includes orders for GE's Electrocodeä track circuits that bring state-of-the-art electronic technology with packaging, electronics and software together to detect the presence or absence of a train on a section of track, and Cab-Xä cab signaling products that will act as the onboard rail communications hub.
"This partnership is of paramount importance to guarantee that we continue to transport our loads in a safe and efficient way, in addition to supporting the increase in the future demand for Railroad Vitória to Minas," said Luiz Fernando Landeiro, General Manager for Development and Technical Railroad Services of Vale.
The contract is the largest rail signaling project in South America for GE. GE -- Transportation Global Signaling has seen rapid global expansion with recent project wins in China, the Netherlands, Italy and Canada.
"We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with Vale to upgrade their signaling systems," said Pierre Comte, President GE -- Transportation Global Signaling. "Our recent success around the globe is due to the breadth and technological capabilities of our signaling portfolio for a variety of rail environments."
GE -- Transportation's Global Signaling maintains executive offices in Paris, France, with major locations in Kansas City, MO, and Florence, Italy. GE's signaling business has installed rail equipment throughout South America. With innovations from technology centers around the world, GE -- Transportation Global Signaling offers train inspection systems, train connection performance solutions, velocity improvement products and complete signaling and train control systems.
The agreement with Vale follows GE -- Transportation's recent signaling contracts valued at a combined total of €74 million with Rotterdam Metro in the Netherlands and FERROVIENORD in Italy serving a combined total of 140 million passengers annually.
About GE - Transportation
Established more than 100 years ago, GE -- Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind industries. GE provides freight and passenger locomotives, railway signaling and communications systems, information technology solutions, marine engines, motorized drive systems for mining trucks and drills, high-quality replacement parts and value added services. With sales in excess of $4.5 billion, GE - Transportation is headquartered in Erie, Penn., and employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit www.getransportation.com.
About Vale
Vale is the company that makes the highest investments in Logistics in Brazil. From 2003 to 2007, the investments in that segment reached the sum of US$3.5 billion. This year, the investments have summed US$ 1.87 billion. Vale has the most productive and efficient railroads from the operational and environmental point of view and has been investing more and more to enlarge its capacity to attend the growing demands from its clients. It is in charge of operating a railroad mesh measuring 10,179 kilometers in extension, in addition to five port terminals.
In the last seven years, Vale's railroads transported 180 billion of TKU (ton.useful kilometer) of loads in general. During such period, Vale invested US$ 722 million to buy 16 thousand wagons, 92% of which are made in Brazil - a step that brought about the rebirth of the Brazilian industry of railroad equipment.
Stephan Koller
GE Transportation Communications Manager
[email protected]
1-814-875-3457
1-814-431-3150
Chris Banocy