Logistics firm to Roll out Latvian LNG Locomotive

International logistics group Operail has joined forces with a Latvian company to develop the region’s first LNG-fuelled freight locomotive, it said on October 21.

The company has entered into a co-operation agreement with Riga-based dual-fuel solutions engineer DiGas to work on an EU-backed pilot project that will involve retrofitting a General Electric C36 locomotive with LNG engines, tanks and other systems. The locomotive is due to enter testing next summer and start operating in late 2020. It will retain diesel fuel systems as well.

According to Operail, LNG locomotives use 30% less fuel and produce 20% less carbon dioxide and 70% less sulphur dioxide.

“We will invest a quarter million euros and begin the construction of a pilot locomotive so that after the testing period, we could implement the same technology on all of our freight locomotives,” Operail chairman Raul Toomsalu said. “The production costs of the first locomotive are higher, but after that, the addition of LNG tanks and systems will be much more affordable.”

He urged other logistics firm to follow its lead and develop more sustainable solutions for cargo transport.