Körfez Ulaştırma is the first private operator in Turkey to make such a purchase since the government began issuing licenses to use mainlines one year ago. The agreement includes GE Transportation’s PowerHaul® series locomotives, which are European Standards compliant and provide world-class fuel economy.
Korfez Ulastirma A.Ş. currently leases five PowerHaul locomotives that GE previously supplied to the Turkish State Railways and will now double its fleet through this purchase. “As our operations grow, the ability to move faster and more efficiently is key to transporting products between Tüpraş refineries,” said Tufan Başarır, General Manager for Körfez Ulaştırma.
These locomotives, like the five that Körfez Ulaştırma already leases, will be built in Eskişehir, by TÜLOMSAŞ, GE’s strategic partner in country. TÜLOMSAŞ produces GE’s PowerHaul locomotives for the European, Middle Eastern and North African market. Under the agreement, GE will provide leading technology and design while TÜLOMSAŞ provides local manufacturing, assembly and final testing.
“We are honored to expand our strong presence in Turkey and become the preferred locomotive supplier to both state-owned and private operators,” said Gokhan Bayhan, GE Transportation’s General Manager, Russia/CIS, Europe, Middle East and North African market. “This agreement represents a significant milestone to support a dynamic, growing market and we are proud to contribute to Turkey’s railways industry development goals with our technologies and experience.
The PowerHaul series is a top-performing mid-weight locomotive, compliant with EU Stage IIIa emissions and TSI interoperability standards. It is equipped with a technologically advanced 16-cylinder 3,700 HP GE PowerHaul P616 engine with common-rail fuel injection. The locomotive can achieve maximum power output, while providing an 18-percent reduction in fuel consumption. It also has improved reliability and tractive effort with high-performance AC traction-control technology and individual axle-control.
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