Stadler is to supply seven Co’Co’ hybrid locomotives of the EURODUAL type to Turkish rail freight operator Körfez Ulaştırma. It is the first delivery of the manufacturer to the Turkish market. The deal includes a maintenance agreement for eight years.

The first locomotive is expected to be delivered by 2021. These versatile locomotives are the first hybrid locomotives in Turkey. Körfez Ulaştırma, the logistics affiliate of Turkey’s largest refinery Tüpraş, will use them in freight transport services combining both 25 kV AC electric and diesel operating modes on lines with high gradient, where a strong traction force is required.

The new EURODUAL will be utilised as a single locomotive to haul up to 2000 tonnes fuel product trains, which will improve the operational efficiency of the Turkish rail operator. The EURODUAL boasts a power range of 2,8 MW in diesel-electric operation and 6,15 MW in electric catenary operation. It also has a tractive effort of up to 500 kN, thanks to six-powered axles and a state-of-the-art adhesion control system.

First Turkish operator

Including this contract, the number of locomotives sold from the new generation of Co’Co’ locomotives developed and manufactured by Stadler Valencia amounts to 74 units. Körfez Ulaştırma is the first private operator in Turkey to secure a licence for freight transportation, since the government began issuing licenses to use its mainlines two years ago.

Iñigo Parra, Managing Director of Stadler Valencia, emphasised the importance of the project and the advantages of the new platform: “We are proud to expand the market of EURODUAL locomotives to Turkey and appreciate the trust of our client. The agreement corroborates our commitment to the development of this new locomotive family, offering rail operators numerous economic and environmental benefits.”

Tufan Başarır, General Manager of Körfez Ulaştırma said: “We are rapidly growing our resources to increase our share in rail freight market and proud to have sealed the agreement with Stadler, a reputable player of the railway industry. This deal signifies the supply of the first batch of imported locomotives into Turkey for a private sector player. The addition of powerful EURODUAL locomotives in our fleet will support our rail operations, providing us with a strong competitive advantage”.