Construction

Revolutionising hauling with next-gen Volvo models

A50 underscores the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs by providing more choices and improved operational capabilities. (Image source: Volvo)

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced a comprehensive update to its globally recognised articulated hauler lineup, marking the most extensive product portfolio renewal in decades

The revamped range now includes models from A25 to A60, featuring significant technological advancements aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and adaptability for future drivetrain developments. A notable addition to the lineup is the all-new A50 model, which expands customer options in the demanding hauler segment.

A new range from A25 to A60

A pioneer in the articulated hauler industry since introducing ‘Gravel Charlie’ in 1966, Volvo CE is rolling out its latest lineup in a phased global release throughout 2025. This upgrade represents a significant technological leap, incorporating a new electronic system and an in-house developed transmission that delivers fuel efficiency improvements of up to 15%, depending on the model and application. Designed with adaptability in mind, the new haulers are constructed to integrate seamlessly with future drivetrains.

Introducing the A50 model

One of the most exciting highlights of the launch is the debut of the A50 model, which enhances Volvo CE’s offering in the hauler segment. Available in selected markets, the A50 underscores the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs by providing more choices and improved operational capabilities. The updated haulers are engineered to lower the total cost of ownership while ensuring maximum safety and productivity, especially when combined with Volvo CE’s digital solutions such as Haul Assist with onboard weighing.

Melker Jernberg, president of Volvo CE, emphasised the company’s legacy of innovation,“For nearly 60 years we have been leading the way with our range of articulated haulers and now with today’s launch of a new range of outstanding products, including one completely new model, we prove that there are no limits to our capacity for innovation. Our customers know to expect a first-class operation when they get into one of our haulers, but that experience has just got even better with a host of cutting-edge features designed with our customers in mind.”

A circular approach to sustainability

The new range is designed to be among the most fuel-efficient hauling solutions on the market, incorporating sustainability-focused elements such as low-carbon emission steel made from recycled materials. This steel, produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas, is being integrated into the serial production of haulers at Volvo CE’s Braås site. Given that steel is a major component in Volvo CE’s products and is traditionally a significant source of carbon emissions, this material circularity initiative aligns with the company’s broader sustainability strategy to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

A step towards the future

With over 35% of its total range renewed in the past 12 months, Volvo CE is taking a decisive step towards shaping the future of construction equipment. This latest product overhaul continues the company’s long-standing tradition of setting industry benchmarks for innovation and operational excellence, just as it did in 1966. By integrating cutting-edge features and sustainable manufacturing practices, Volvo CE reinforces its leadership in the articulated hauler segment and its commitment to meeting the challenges of tomorrow’s construction industry.

Also read: Volvo CE adopts low-carbon steel

Revamping Tanzania’s vital transport links

AfDB commits $2.5bn to Tanzania for roads, rail, airports, and connectivity. (Image source: East African Community)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged US$2.5bn to support priority infrastructure projects in Tanzania

Mumina Wa-Kyendo, AfDB’s chief transport engineer for Tanzania, revealed that over 70% of the funding is dedicated to transport infrastructure, covering roads, railways, and airports. Among the key projects benefiting from this investment is the Tanzanian segment of the multinational Tanzania/Kenya 400-km Bagamoyo – Pangani – Tanga – Horohoro/Lunga Lunga – Mombasa – Malindi road. This corridor, currently under construction in both nations, is part of the broader Coastal Transport Corridor stretching from Lamu, Kenya, to Mtwara, Tanzania.

Infrastructure boost

According to Wa-Kyendo, AfDB has allocated US$100mn for the Tanzanian portion of the project, which, once completed, will enhance mobility along the East African coast. The improved infrastructure is expected to cut the travel distance between Dar es Salaam and Tanga by approx 90 km, saving more than an hour of travel time. It will also create a new route to Tanga via Bagamoyo and Pangani, reducing reliance on the Central Corridor.

Other priority projects funded by AfDB include the Nyakanazi – Kabingo – Kasulu – Kumnazi road in western Tanzania, the Mawala – Masasi road in the south, the Tabora – Kigoma – Uvinza railway extending to Musongati in Burundi, and Dodoma (Msalato) International Airport in Tanzania’s capital.

Wa-Kyendo made these remarks in Tanga after a two-day inspection of the Bagamoyo-Pangani-Tanga stretch. The mission included representatives from the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, Tanzania’s Ministry of Works and Transport, Kenya’s Ministry of Roads and Infrastructure, the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), and the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA).

AfDB’s funding is contingent on the efficient execution of projects, which is crucial for securing additional support. Wa-Kyendo emphasised the importance of transport infrastructure in facilitating trade and regional integration, urging greater collaboration between the Northern and Central Corridor transit authorities.

“We need to have a region where transport works, put in place roads and railways of the best standards. This is because national and supra-national interests sometimes conflict,” Wa-Kyendo noted.

He also highlighted an oversight in the management of the corridor linking the Northern and Central corridors, calling for urgent intervention by EAC Partner States.

The EAC is currently conducting a feasibility and funding options study for the Kenya/Uganda multinational Kisumu – Busia / Jinja – Kakira – Malaba (including Busitema – Busia Spur) Expressway, aimed at improving transport efficiency along the Northern Corridor.

Also read: Tunisia to upgrade road infrastructure through AfDB support

Second Condra crane for Tongaat Hulett

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Condra works on second crane order (PHOTO CREDIT: Condra Cranes)

South Africa’s Condra is to manufacture a second overhead crane for Tongaat Hulett’s Maidstone sugar mill in KwaZulu-Natal

The order is for a 23-metre-span double girder electric overhead travelling crane with 25-ton main hoist and 8-ton auxiliary, to work in conjunction with the existing millhouse crane and a 10-ton Condra crane commissioned in the bagasse store in March 2024. The value of the order was not disclosed.

Maidstone is one of four South African sugar mills operated by Tongaat Hulett, a leading agriculture and agri-processing company.

In the bagasse store, the 10-ton crane is already used to move and position conveyors feeding fibrous raw residue (bagasse) into Maidstone’s secondary processing system. Left over as waste after harvesting juice from the sugarcane, bagasse is used after processing as a biofuel, and in the manufacture of paper pulp and building materials.

The new 25/8-ton crane will help operate and maintain the mill house.

“Condra was able to meet Tongaat Hulett’s technical requirements for Maidstone’s new crane because of modular products that facilitate manufacture of a customised lifting solution; this instead of having to shoehorn a standard machine – often imported – into the application, an approach frequently followed by rival firms,” the company said in a 3rd February statement.

“Such modular design comes very close to the theoretical ideal: all elements of the crane – hoist, crab, end-carriages, drives and controls – are themselves assembled from a wide array of component parts. Only the crane girders are manufactured from scratch.

"For Tongaat Hulett’s new mill house crane, Condra precisely tailored its design to match the specification, paying particular attention to combinations of rope, drum and pulley to achieve the necessary hoist reeving arrangements for accurate load positioning over the considerable lifting heights of 12 metres on the main hoist, and 12.2 metres on the auxiliary.”

A striking feature will be the air-conditioned control cabin with docking station for the remote control instead of the more usual hard-wired control panel.

This will allow the operator to use the same control unit for remote operation from the floor, from overlooking office, or docked within the cabin as an integral part of the cabin’s dashboard.

There will be digital read-outs from hoist loadcells, while an independent pendant control will provide back-up and additional flexibility.

An ultrasonic anti-collision system will reliably prevent accidental contact with the existing mill house crane that will remain in the bay.

Other features include frequency drives on the long travel, cross travels and hoists, full-length walkways with fibreglass grating on both sides of the crane, IP65 brakes, IP65 panels, stainless steel fasteners, floodlights, safety lights and siren, full seam welds with rounded edges, lifting lugs and a special paint finish.

Besides the installed 10-ton crane and 25/8-ton crane on order, Condra has previously delivered a monorail hoist and crawl to Tongaat Hulett’s Zimbabwe mill.

Delivery of the new 25/8-tonner is scheduled for April, with installation and commissioning to be executed by authorised agent Natal Cranes & Hoists.

Overlooked but critical pieces of machinery

Condra supports mill recover lost production

Wabtec nets US$248mn order for TransGuinéen rail locomotives

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Work is underway on the Guinea railway (Image credit: WCS)

US-based Wabtec Corporation has landed a US$248mn contract to supply locomotives for a rail line that will support a high-grade iron ore project in Guinea

The New York-listed group won the order from Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), a Baowu & Winning joint venture, to support its rail operations to the mine site, which is located in the east of Guinea.

The agreement follows a locomotive order a few months earlier from SimFer, a Rio Tinto joint venture, to serve its operations at Simandou.

The combined orders for the project, valued at more than US$500mn, represent one of Wabtec’s largest international locomotive agreements in recent years.

“As the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore deposit, Simandou represents a transformational economic opportunity for Guinea, and Wabtec’s commitment extends beyond delivering advanced locomotive solutions to ensure the success of this critical initiative in partnership with WCS and SimFer,” said Wabtec’s regional vice president of sub-Saharan Africa, Mpilo Dlamini.

“We are also committed to the development of Guinea by fostering local employment, developing indigenous talent, and empowering local businesses to support the operation and maintenance of this vital rail network.”

Wabtec will supply its Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives, a dual-cab locomotive with a 4,500HP Evolution Series engine. The locomotive provides exceptional fuel efficiency and proven performance in harsh, high-temperature environments, like eastern Guinea.

It is also capable of meeting UIC 3a and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 3 emission standards.

The company will begin delivering locomotives for the Simandou project in 2025, when first production from the mine is also expected.

“This locomotive order with Wabtec is another important milestone for the Simandou project,” said WCS CEO Zhang Cheng. “As work continues to build the TransGuinéen railway, we will have the equipment resources in place that support the high international standards that we’ve committed to deliver.”

The 600-km TransGuinéen Railway is under construction to connect the Simandou mine and the Port of Morebaya. The Simandou mountain range, located in the southeast of Guinea, contains the world's largest untapped reserve of high-grade iron ore. WCS is developing blocks 1 and 2 of the Simandou iron ore deposit, which currently account for more than 1.8bn tonnes of estimated reserves.

Rio Tinto also expects to commence production this year through its Simfer joint venture, which holds rights to blocks 3 and 4. After first output from the Simfer mine this year, production is expected to ramp up over 30 months to an annualised capacity of 60mn tonnes per year. The mine will initially deliver a single fines product before transitioning to a dual fines product of blast furnace and direct reduction ready ore.

Simfer's capital funding requirement for the Simandou project as a whole is estimated to be approximately $11.6 billion, of which Rio Tinto's share is approximately $6.2bn.

Volvo CE adopts low-carbon steel

Image of a Volvo CE hauler near a construction site

Steel is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of construction equipment. (Image source: Volvo CE)

Volvo CE has started integrating low-carbon emission steel into the serial production of all articulated haulers manufactured at its Braås facility in Sweden

The company stated that this initiative aligns with its commitment to reducing carbon emissions across its value chain—both in machine operation and material sourcing—as part of its goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Steel is a significant contributor to the carbon footprint of construction equipment, accounting for about 60% of an articulated hauler’s total mass and over half of its emissions in the cradle-to-gate life cycle.

Cradle-to-gate refers to a model that evaluates a product's environmental impact from raw material extraction to the point it leaves the factory.

Expanding sustainability efforts

Volvo CE first introduced fossil-free steel in 2021 through a partnership with Swedish steel producer SSAB, unveiling a concept hauler built with the material. In 2022, it became the first company to deliver a construction machine incorporating fossil-free steel to a customer.

Now, Volvo CE is scaling up by incorporating low-carbon emission steel—produced using recycled steel and powered by fossil-free electricity and biogas—into mass production.

Currently, 13% of the total steel mass in articulated haulers built at Braås has been replaced with this material, with plans to increase this percentage as supply chain availability improves.

This transition is expected to cut Volvo CE’s CO₂ emissions by around 13,000 tons annually, reducing more than 5% within the cradle-to-gate scope.

Rickard Alm, head of Volvo CE’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) programme, stated, “We are proud to lead the way in the industry and move forward towards minimising our climate footprint across the entire lifecycle of our products. While emissions from product use represent the vast majority of carbon output in our industry, it is important to also act to cut emissions in the production phase, including materials like steel, in close collaboration with our global supply partners.”