Future of Rail Freight: Akiem, Lineas Expand Partnership for Sustainability

Akiem and Lineas Extend Partnership to Boost European Rail Freight

In a significant move to bolster sustainable freight transport across Europe, Akiem and Lineas have announced a renewed multi-year partnership. The agreement, effective until 2030, will see Lineas, Europe’s largest private rail freight operator, continue to lease a fleet of Alstom Prima locomotives from Akiem. This collaborative venture, unveiled recently, aims to facilitate a critical modal shift, moving freight from road to rail, particularly across the French and European rail networks. The “who” involves two major railway players: Akiem, a leading locomotive leasing company, and Lineas, a prominent rail freight operator. The “what” is the continued and expanded lease of locomotives. The “when” is the announcement now, with the partnership extending to 2030. The “where” is primarily across the European rail network, with an initial focus on France. The “why” centers on reducing carbon emissions, easing road congestion, and meeting rising freight demands. The “how” is through the use of both electric and diesel locomotives. This article will examine the implications of this partnership and its role in the sustainable evolution of rail freight.

Expansion of the Locomotive Fleet

The core of the new agreement involves a significant expansion of Lineas’s locomotive fleet. The number of locomotives leased from Akiem will increase from 32 to 39 units. This expansion includes a mix of Alstom Prima locomotives, specifically models BB27000 (electric), BB37000 (electric), and BB75000 (diesel). The diesel-powered BB75000 is particularly important for accessing non-electrified routes, crucial for comprehensive freight solutions. This augmentation enables Lineas to serve more freight corridors and handle the anticipated rise in freight volumes across Europe. Akiem’s versatile fleet, including a variety of locomotives, offers interoperable traction options across multiple European rail networks, thereby enabling effective and efficient operations. All locomotives are maintained to the highest standards to meet regulatory requirements, which is critical to ensuring safety and operational reliability.

Driving Modal Shift and Reducing Emissions

The collaboration between Akiem and Lineas directly supports the pressing need for modal shift. Rail freight is a demonstrably more sustainable mode of transport compared to road haulage. The European Union’s current reliance on road transport contributes approximately 10% of the EU’s total carbon emissions and as much as 13% of France’s. With freight volumes projected to surge by 30% by 2030, the shift to rail becomes even more critical to meet sustainability goals. The diesel-powered BB75000 locomotives, for example, make a significant contribution by servicing non-electrified routes, offering energy savings of up to six times compared to road haulage. The partnership is intended to reduce emissions and improve traffic flow on major highways.

Technological Innovations and Maintenance Support

Akiem’s commitment to its Prima Alstom locomotive fleet goes beyond mere leasing; the company has invested significantly in a major overhaul program and a new maintenance system. These investments ensure the locomotives meet the high standards expected by Lineas. The Prima series locomotives include electric (BB27000, BB37000) and diesel (BB75000) variants. The integration of advanced maintenance protocols will ensure a high level of reliability and availability. Moreover, Lineas benefits from Akiem’s fleet management experience, which ensures the units comply with all relevant national regulations and infrastructure requirements, leading to optimal operating performance and safety.

Voices from the Industry

Fabien Rochefort, CEO of Akiem, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are extremely honored by this new contract with Lineas, which continues and develops a partnership that began nearly 15 years ago. We intend to provide Lineas with ever-improving service in terms of cost, reliability, flexibility, and safety.” Erik Van Ockenburg, CEO of Lineas, echoed the sentiment: “We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the Akiem teams. This renewal demonstrates the confidence we have in their expertise and the quality of their services.” These statements highlight the mutual commitment and confidence between the two companies. The long-standing relationship, spanning nearly 15 years, underlines the reliability of Akiem’s services and the value that Lineas places on this collaboration to enhance rail freight competitiveness.

Conclusion

The extended partnership between Akiem and Lineas represents a significant step towards strengthening rail freight operations in Europe. By expanding the locomotive fleet and committing to advanced maintenance, the companies are well-positioned to meet the growing demands of a sustainable transport sector. The long-term agreement through 2030 offers a degree of stability essential for long-term planning and investments in the rail freight sector. The expanded fleet and the strategic use of both electric and diesel locomotives directly support the crucial modal shift from road to rail, which will reduce congestion and lower carbon emissions. This collaboration is especially significant because it addresses the need for sustainable transportation solutions in areas not served by overhead lines, and will likely support further electrification investments in the future. This partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and operational efficiency, and is expected to have broader positive implications for other rail freight operators and support wider adoption of sustainable practices across the European transport sector.

Company Summary

Akiem is a leading European locomotive leasing company that provides a fleet of over 750 locomotives. Akiem’s fleet supports a wide range of railway operators across Europe. Their services include financing, maintenance, and fleet management solutions. Lineas is the largest private rail freight operator in Europe, known for its focus on modal shift and providing fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly freight transport services. Lineas operates a broad network, offering daily rail services across Europe.