CHILEAN private freight operator Transap has been awarded a 12-year contract by forestry company CMPC to move timber in the Biobío and La Araucanía regions from August 1. The value of the contract has not been disclosed.
The deal covers the movement of cut timber from Loncoche, Mariquina and Rapaco to the Santa Fe cellulose processing plant in Nacimiento and the Pacífico plant in Mininco. Transap and CMPC both describe the arrangement as a long-term alliance designed to improve efficiency, sustainability and capacity in bulk logistics. The forestry industry is one of the most important sources of rail freight traffic in southern Chile, and CMPC says that rail is a key lever for reducing road congestion and emissions.
Last year Transap ordered four C30ACi diesel locomotives from Wabtec, reported to be worth up to $US 18m, which will be deployed primarily on forestry services in southern Chile. The six-axle locomotives are rated at 2237kW, and are designed to operate on the sharp curves and within the tight clearances found on infrastructure managed by Chilean State Railways (EFE).
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