They will provide reliable engine starting for a fleet of diesel-electric locomotives operating freight services. The low-maintenance nickel-metal hydride battery systems are being installed on 58 C36-type locomotives manufactured by GE Transportation for MRS Logística.
"The Brazilian rail industry is an important growth area for Saft, and this significant order represents a major step forward in the locomotive sector," said Milan Sima, General Manager of Rail and Mobility at Saft. "The proven track record of our SRX battery systems in previous rail projects around the world was the key factor in winning this order for MRS Logística."
Brazil is the fifth largest nation in the world, covering an area of approximately 8.5 million square kilometers. The country's size means that the transport of raw materials and goods is vital to its economy. However, it is estimated that just over 20% of Brazil's total freight is transported by rail, while 63% travels by road. The federal government has decided that, due to high costs and the potential for delays, the country must end its economic dependence on road transport and make a comprehensive transition to rail. Its goal is to achieve a 100% increase in rail capacity over the next four years.
MRS Logística controls, operates, and monitors the Federal Southeast Railway Network, which interconnects the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo. It covers a region that contributes approximately 55% of Brazil's gross domestic product. The transition to rail transport has led MRS Logística to make a significant investment in a new fleet and the modernization of its gauge-adjustable locomotives. It considers reliable engine starting critical to ensuring its services, so it has specified Saft SRX battery systems to provide onboard starting power as well as backup power to support critical electrical systems.
In addition to its performance, the SRX battery design offers other benefits, including low maintenance requirements, long intervals between water refills, and a long service life. For fast and efficient refilling, the systems are equipped with a centralized water filling system (WFS). It also offers a high level of safety, reducing the risk of a locomotive being stranded due to battery failure.
Saft SRX batteries are designed and manufactured at Saft's Bordeaux factory in France. Deliveries have begun and are scheduled to continue through the end of the first quarter of 2019.
