Rail freight companies expand fleets as intermodal transport grows

PCC Intermodal has added two electric locomotives to its fleet with support for a 49.2 million zloty investment. EU funding covered 17.6 million zlotys. The company received the Pesa Gama locomotives, numbered 111Ed-113 and 111Ed-114, on schedule and within the contractual deadline, according to the manufacturer.

The deliveries bring PCC Intermodal’s fleet of locomotives built in Bydgoszcz to five. The carrier also secured 20.4 million zlotys from Poland’s Centre for EU Transport Projects for 100 container platforms, part of a project worth 40.8 million zlotys.

Other companies have also used European funding to expand intermodal capacity. Silva LS bought 100 platforms with 30.1 million zlotys in support for a 100.3 million zloty project. LTG Cargo Polska bought 72 wagons with 26.1 million zlotys in funding. ELL Polska Asset received nearly 22 million zlotys for two locomotives, while Laude Smart Intermodal received 38.3 million zlotys for two multisystem locomotives and 40 platform wagons.

Cargounit secured 112.4 million zlotys for 10 new multisystem locomotives, within a project valued at 224.7 million zlotys. Captrain Polska bought three Traxx Universal locomotives approved for use in Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The company said the locomotives would begin appearing on routes in Poland, Germany, France and Belgium in September.

The investments come as intermodal transport expands. Data from Poland’s Office of Rail Transport showed transport work and freight weight both rose by more than 16.4% year on year in the first quarter. PCC Intermodal led the market by transport work with 21.86%, ahead of PKP Cargo at 20.17% and DB Cargo Polska at 12.11%.

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Captrain Polska has leased Traxx locomotives in MS2 and DC2 configurations for more than 10 years, but the third-generation Traxx Universal locomotives will be the company’s first modern locomotives purchased in line with its policy of supplementing the fleet with its own vehicles.