Building on successful sales of KLW EPA Tier 4 certified and CARB verified locomotives across the US, KLW has recently completed the remanufacture of an existing line-haul freight locomotive utilizing the Cummins 4,400 horsepower Tier 4 certified QSK95 engine system. The locomotive also employs a CAF Power & Automation AC traction system along with components from other rail industry suppliers.

“We are excited to showcase our clean diesel technology in freight locomotives,” said Regina Barringer, Cummins Global General Manager, Rail and Defense. “Many rail operators have committed to reach net zero emissions and we are confident that the QSK95 will play an important role to helping rail operators improve the emissions for both their current and future line up of locomotives.”

The KLWX 4400 ACT4 locomotive is currently running on Canadian National Railway where it is undergoing reliability growth testing.

The agreement comes as part of the UAE National Railways Programme, where First Abu Dhabi Bank will be the Certified Lead Arranger for the loan, as part of the agreement.

Etihad Rail’s passenger services will be the first of their kind, connecting the cities and regions of the UAE. The project is one of the three strategic projects of the National Railways Programme, which was launched by the UAE government in December 2021. The Programme forms the largest land transport system in the UAE, which is set outline the future of the railway sector in the coming years, in addition to providing freight rail and integrated transportation services.

Travelling at a speed of 200 kmph, with a capacity of 400 passengers per train, the number of passengers is expected to increase to reach more than 36.5 million passengers annually across the country by 2030.

Etihad Rail is forging ahead towards completing Stage Two of the UAE National Rail Network. Stage One of the Network has been operational since 2016. The project is progressing at an accelerated pace with 70 percent of the project being completed in less than 24 months, despite the challenges of the pandemic. Etihad Rail has cooperated with 180 entities and issued more than 40 thousand official papers.

The leading global ports group has set a target for its three UK ports to achieve net zero by 2035 

Hutchison Ports (Hutchinson) has set a goal to achieve net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035. The goal encompasses its three UK sites: the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International, and London Thamesport.  

It comes as part of the company’s ambitious science-based target to reduce emissions in every region. It is aiming to reach net zero globally by 2050. 

Commenting on these targets, Clemence Cheng, Executive Director of Hutchison Ports and Managing Director of Hutchison Ports Europe, said: “Hutchison Ports operates in many markets throughout the world, and we have set both near-term and net-zero targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative’s net-zero standard.“

Developments at the Port of Felixstowe

“Our journey has already begun,” he states. “We are investing in new and more sustainable equipment and the UK will be amongst the first of our business units to reach the target.” 

The Port of Felixstowe is leading the way for Hutchinson’s sites. It signed a deal in April 2023 with a vision to tackle its emissions. The deal ensures that all the port’s electricity moving forwards is generated by solar, offshore wind, or other renewable sources. 

Additionally, Felixstowe has introduced battery-powered autonomous trucks with the latest battery swapping technology. It commissioned two 11Kv high voltage substations in May 2023, which will enable charging for up to 20 vehicles.

It will take delivery of its next 22 electric-tractors in July 2023, with a further 24 vehicles arriving in November. In total, Hutchinson plans to acquire 150 electric-tractors at Felixstowe over the next two years.  

Clemence Cheng commented: “Historically, there was no option but to use fossil fuels to power the majority of port equipment. We have made significant progress at the Port of Felixstowe, converting our yard cranes to electricity with 50 electric cranes in operation and another 17 on order for delivery this year.  

“All new equipment across our three UK ports will be sustainable and we have a program to replace our entire vehicle fleet with battery-powered or alternative fuel options by 2033.”

The autonomous, zero-emission delivery robot, HeRo (Helsinki Robot) will carry parcels from Würth’s Center to worksites in the vicinity  

A new pilot project is underway in Helsinki, Finland, this summer. It sets out to test whether electric and autonomous vehicles can deliver small loads of construction supplies to worksites in the area both successfully and efficiently.  

Würth, a service provider of construction tools and supplies, is trialing the robot, which will enable customers operating in the Kalasatama district to order small supplies and have them efficiently delivered to site via robot.  

The scheme is part of the international URBANE project, which seeks to identify new ways of completing deliveries in urban areas. By finding innovative means of local logistics, the project aims to reduce emissions and traffic in urban areas.

The pilot robot, HeRo, which has also been dubbed ‘a hero providing zero-emission deliveries,’ was built and customized by French company, TwinswHeel. The technical details and customer interface were implemented by Finnish French company, LMAD, which is developing a software platform to operate and manage autonomous robots. 

“The advantage of autonomous robots is that they can make urgent deliveries in the area flexibly without interrupting the customer’s work. Autonomous robots could be an excellent addition to the services of our extensive Würth Center network. The deliveries being zero-emission is another benefit,” says Terhi Vesala, Logistics Manager at Würth.

The English-speaking robot, model CiTHY L, can carry loads of up to 300 kilograms. It is predicted to save customers’ time, as it can deliver orders flexibly and punctually to meet sudden demand. 

LMAD’s Gergely Horvath said: “Electronic and autonomous robots are the future of eco-friendly deliveries and distribution. Autonomous robots can help companies reduce the price of last-mile deliveries and improve the customer experience, as well. Cooperating with DB Schenker and Würth Oy on a real use case is a fascinating step towards developing autonomous deliveries in the EU.” 

After successful local street grid testing, the robot is currently making deliveries in the area, accompanied by an assistant to ensure it runs smoothly. The scheme will end in July, with URBANE planning to carry out similar projects in Italy, Spain, and Greece. 

The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) has entered an agreement with Innovez One, a provider of port management systems

This will accelerate the digitalization of its port calls and operations. Under the agreement, Innovez One will provide its flagship software, marineM, to fully digitize and optimize crucial marine services for vessels arriving and departing Ireland’s second-largest port.

Grant Ingram, CEO of Innovez One for the UK and Europe, said: “Digitalization is an essential foundation that enables ports to tackle the most pressing challenges they face today, from persisting congestion to the need to reduce their emissions. Smart ports will also be best placed to position themselves in the greener supply chains of tomorrow, supporting decarbonization in shipping and beyond.”

MarineM will automate and improve the scheduling of port, tug, and pilotage services, which are crucial for efficient operations. Using algorithms powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, marineM’s planning module will manage schedules and dispatch resources – assigning pilots and tugboats to jobs in the most efficient way, and reallocating resources seamlessly if a vessel’s ETA changes.

This latest step in the PoCC’s digital journey will boost the efficiency of service fleets, eliminate unnecessary journeys and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will also assist the port in enhancing berth management, and agents will be able to register their vessels, order services, and track the progress of each job from an online portal. Furthermore, the system will automate the billing process, thereby boosting transparency and accuracy, and helping to eliminate billing issues, delays and disputes.

The achievement was announced during an event attended by His Excellency Shadi Malak, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Rail, alongside Marty Haycraft, President and CEO at Progress Rail and Henry Pang, Executive Director, MENA at CRRC.

The achievement comes in line with Etihad Rail’s efforts to achieve the objectives of the UAE Railways Programme, the largest land transport system of its kind in the UAE, which was launched as part of the Projects of the 50, the largest set of national strategic projects that seek to set up a new phase of development across UAE for the next 50 years. The UAE Railways Programme aims to set a new roadmap for transporting goods and passengers via train across the country, which will contribute to developing a sustainable land transport system that connects the cities of the UAE via railways.

The company will increase its fleet to 45 heavy transport locomotives and 1000 multi-purpose wagons. Progress Rail will handle the manufacturing and supply of the new electro-motive diesel locomotives while China’s CRRC Group will be responsible for the new fleet of wagons.

Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Executive Director of Rail Relations at Etihad Rail says: “Upon completion and becoming fully operational, the network will contribute to revitalizing and bolstering economic growth in the UAE, particularly during the next 50 years, by providing reliable and safe freight services with high efficiency. This achievement comes as part of the company’s preparations to operate the network according to the highest global standards in the future.”

Petregaz, a subsidiary of the Petredec Group, has concluded an agreement to acquire the 35 LPG trucks and tankers and truck horses from OneLogix. The OneLogix Group will retain its other assets and businesses. The Sale Agreement is effective from 1 April 2023 with all suspensive conditions having already been met.

Through the acquisition of these assets, Petregaz will be able to expand its supply chain capabilities, provide primary logistics services to a larger client base and work closer with its existing and potential new key clients across the LPG industry.

Commenting on the acquisition, Managing Director at Petregaz, Matthew Costello said, “We are thrilled to have entered into this transaction. The addition of these assets to our business together with a focus on a high standard of service delivery will significantly enhance our logistical capabilities which are key to the reliable supply of LPG in Southern Africa. We will build on key focus areas including security of supply of LPG in Southern Africa as well as provide supply chain excellence to Petregaz’s valued existing and potential new clients.’’

The OneLogix Group is a niche logistics provider with over 30 years’ operational experience. The Group offers a range of world-class logistics solutions and related services to the Southern African region.

“OneLogix firmly believes that the sale of our LPG division to Petregaz will result in enhanced service delivery given Petregaz’s extensive experience, infrastructure and customer base. The transaction also reduces OneLogix’s risk profile following its recent delisting. We wish Petregaz well with its future expansion and development in the LPG industry,” concludes Cameron McCulloch, CEO of OneLogix.