ITALIAN state-owned freight operator Mercitalia has signed a contract with Alstom for the supply of 70 Traxx Universal DC locomotives. The deal is worth €323m.
The contract includes maintenance of the locomotives for 12 years and an option to purchase another 30. Alstom will supply a mix of electric locomotives and others equipped with diesel engines for last-mile capability although the precise breakdown has yet to be confirmed. All of the locomotives will be used to haul domestic freight services in Italy.
Deliveries are planned to start at the end of 2025.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at Alstom’s Vado Ligure plant to mark the handover of the first of 20 Traxx locomotives that the manufacturer will deliver to Mercitalia this year. This is an option from a contract for 40 locomotives signed in December 2017.
Mercitalia is a subsidiary of Italian State Railways (FS) and part of the company’s Logistics Hub. It is due to introduce 45 new locomotives into traffic this year, including 20 for domestic services and 25 for cross-border operation.
Logistics Hub is planning to introduce 400 new locomotives and 3600 new wagons by 2032, reducing the average age of the fleet from 30 to seven years.
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