Vale and Wabtec have announced a master service agreement (MSA) to further increase the efficiency and operations of the Evolution Series (EVO) Locomotive fleet on the Estrada de Ferro Carajás (EFC), in Brazil.

The strategic 10-year deal, valued at R$1.8 billion ($341 million), will optimise the maintenance services for Vale’s fleet increasing availability, reliability and the potential for expanded freight transport on the EFC connecting the southeast of Pará to the capital of Maranhão, São Luís, Vale says. The EFC is around 1,000-km-long, covering 28 municipalities. The railway branch is around 100-km-long and connects EFC to the S11D project, in Canaã dos Carajás.

Carlos Medeiros, Vice President of Operations at Vale, said: “This long-term strategic agreement means a new standard of reliability, availability and safety for EFC locomotives, reinforcing our commitment to consistently invest in the quality and technology of our railway operations and promote the technological development of the railway sector in Brazil.”

Wabtec will analyse locomotive performance data from the last three years at EFC. The company also will provide real-time monitoring on 5,000 parameters of the EVO locomotives operating on the railway. Wabtec’s Global Performance Optimisation Centers will evaluate the data and identify opportunities for continuous performance improvement and optimization of maintenance cycles, reducing towing and failure rates.

Danilo Miyasato, President and Regional Leader of Wabtec in Latin America, said: “Wabtec has a proven history of providing integrated services designed to maximise reliability and availability of customers’ locomotives at optimal operating costs. This contract reinforces our long-standing working relationship with Vale to drive sustainable and efficient growth of EFC’s railway operations.”

In addition to planning and supplying parts for preventive maintenance, the agreement foresees the creation of specialised jobs in São Luís, contributing to the local economy and strengthening regional infrastructure, Vale says.

Vale and Wabtec have worked together for almost three decades to supply locomotives, materials and components for the EFC. In July 2023, the two companies also announced an agreement for the purchase of three FLXdrive battery locomotives, which will operate for the EFC, which represents an important step in its journey towards decarbonisation.