Wabtec signs US$700mn Guinea locomotives deal

Wabtec Corporation has signed a long-term services agreement worth over $700mn with La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) to support its fleet of new Evolution Series locomotives

The locomotives serve the giant Simandou mining and infrastructure project in the Republic of Guinea.

The agreement is the US-based company’s largest services contract in Africa — combined with its original order to supply locomotives in 2024, the Simandou project has now generated US$1.2bn in total value for the group.

“Wabtec is proud to support the Simandou project, which we believe represents a transformative opportunity for Guinea. We are committed to ensuring the reliable operation of the railway to help unlock its full economic potential,” said Sameer Gaur, president, global freight services for Wabtec.

“This agreement is designed to help maximise locomotive availability, efficiency and reliability, while supporting the development of local capabilities through workforce development, skills training, and partnerships with Guinean businesses.”

CTG’s railway extends over 600 kilometres and connects the Simandou mine to the Port of Morebaya on the Atlantic coast.It forms a critical transportation corridor for one of the world's largest untapped reserves of high-grade iron ore, as well as passengers and non-mining goods.

The Simandou project represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in Guinea's history and is intended to support long-term economic growth and development throughout the country.

Contract terms

In a statement, Wabtec noted that the multi-year customised services agreement is designed to support CTG’s “unique operational requirements” and long-term fleet strategy.

The scope of work includes scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, parts and components overhauls, parts management, logistics support, training, advanced remote diagnostics and a strong localisation component.

The contract will support CTG’s fleet of Wabtec ES43AC locomotives, powered by 4,500-horsepower Evolution Series engines.

Built for demanding operating environments, the locomotives deliver high fuel efficiency and reliability in extreme temperatures, including the challenging conditions of eastern Guinea.

“The TransGuinean Railway is one of Africa's most significant rail infrastructure projects, and operating it successfully requires world-class technology and support, as well as a clear commitment to localisation and technology transfer,” said Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry, chairman of the TransGuinéen Company.

Bouna Sylla, Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Geology of Guinea, said the project also reflected the country’s keenness to work more closely with US firms.

“This agreement is intended to support the long-term performance of the locomotive fleet as we work to build a railway designed to contribute to economic growth and development across Guinea,” said Sylla.

“It also highlights Guinea’s vision to build win-win partnerships with American companies, in the country’s ambition to grasp the best technologies from all over the world.”

The Simandou iron ore project itself is a joint venture between global mining giant Rio Tinto and several major Chinese state-backed industrial groups, while the locomotives are being produced at Wabtec’s Marhowra plant in India.

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