SETE LAGOAS, Brazil – VLI – a logistics solutions company that operates ports, railways and terminals – has signed a contract with Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, for the acquisition of eight EMD® SD70ACe-BB locomotives. These units will be added to the company’s fleet to transport cargo in the Southeast corridor of the Centro-Atlântica Railway, which integrates important producing regions from states such as Minas and São Paulo, to the Port of Santos. Progress Rail will produce the rolling stock at their Sete Lagoas, Brazil, facility, with delivery planned in late 2025.
With the completion of this deal, VLI will accumulate an acquisition of 20 locomotives in a period of just one year. The other units will be delivered later this year and used in operations by the company in the East corridors – also on the Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica, destined for the ports of Espírito Santo – and North, where VLI operates the North tram of the Ferrovia Norte-Sul.
“VLI is a developmental company and believes that strengthening the logistics infrastructure is essential for the country’s growth,” says Fábio Marchiori, interim CEO and director of finance, supply chain and services at VLI. “The continuous investment in rolling stock enables an even broader, more efficient and safer service to our customers and, at the same time, represents a strong stimulus to the national railway industry.”
“Through signing this contract with VLI, we continue our investment in the Brazilian rail industry with our EMD® SD70ACe-BB locomotives, which are designed to perform safely and efficiently in the region’s uniquely challenging operating environments,” commented Jack Zhang, executive vice president of locomotive at Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company. “For more than 100 years, EMD locomotives have earned a global reputation for durability, reliability and sustainability, and we look forward to continuing our support of the Brazilian railroads with products made in Brazil for Brazil.”
About the VLI Southeast Corridor
The Southeast corridor is an important flow route for agricultural bulk, as well as products such as fuels and minerals, connecting important grain and sugar producing regions in the country, such as Mato Grosso, Goiás and Minas Gerais, to intermodal terminals in the Triângulo Mineiro and the interior of São Paulo. The corridor maintains import and export flows at Luiz Antonio Mesquita Port Integrator Terminal, a high-productivity private terminal installed on the central bank of the Port of Santos.
About the Locomotives
Custom designed for the Brazilian railways, the EMD® SD70ACe-BB is an eight-axle, meter-gauge locomotive that provides increased tractive effort and capacity to haul more freight. The unit is equipped with an EMD® tier-1+ capable 710 engine, AC traction and a cab custom-designed for operator safety and comfort.
The advanced technologies of the SD70ACe-BB provide safety, reliability, efficiency and sustainability, while delivering life-cycle cost optimization and performance. It joins thousands of EMD® SD70ACe series locomotives operating in demanding heavy-haul service across the globe, including North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
About VLI
VLI is committed to supporting the transformation of logistics in the country, through the integration of services in ports, railways and terminals. The company encompasses the Norte Sul (FNS) and Centro-Atlântica (FCA) railways, as well as intermodal terminals, which combine the loading and unloading of products with rail transport, and port terminals located in strategic axes on the Brazilian coast, such as in Santos (SP), São Luís (MA) and Vitória (ES). For four consecutive years among the three most innovative companies in the Transport and Logistics sector in the Valor Innovation ranking, VLI transports Brazil’s wealth on routes that pass through the North, Northeast, Southeast and Central-West regions.
About Progress Rail
Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, is one of the largest integrated and diversified providers of rolling stock and infrastructure solutions and technologies for global rail customers. Progress Rail delivers advanced EMD locomotives and engines, railcars, trackwork, fasteners, signaling, rail welding and Kershaw Maintenance-of-Way equipment, along with dedicated locomotive and freight car repair services, aftermarket parts support and recycling operations. The company also offers advanced rail technologies, including data acquisition and asset protection equipment. Progress Rail’s deep industry expertise, together with the support of Caterpillar, ensures a commitment to quality through innovative solutions for the rail industry. Progress Rail has a network of nearly 200 locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Australia, China, India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit progressrail.com and follow @Progress_Rail on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
