Union Pacific Corp has reported Q2 2016 net income of nearly $1·0bn, compared to $1·2bn for Q2 2015. Operating revenue was down 12% on the same period last year at $4·8bn and operating income down 15% at $1·7bn. ‘While the second quarter was again challenging from a volume perspective, we continued focusing on initiatives that are squarely in our control, such as being productive with our resources, providing our customers with excellent service, and improving our safety performance’, said Chairman, President & CEO Lance Fritz. ‘We see potential bright spots in certain segments of our business if key economic drivers continue to strengthen as they have in recent weeks.’
Logistics company ALB has awarded Takargo of Portugal a three-year contract that is expected to see it operate between seven and 11 intermodal services a week between Lisboa, Leixões, Sines, Setúbal and Badajoz in Spain. Under the contract, Takargo is to dedicate a Vossloh Euro 4000 to the flow, as well as 60 ft and 90 ft container wagons.
African Fossils Ltd has awarded Tazara a contract to move 18 000 tonnes of petroleum products from Dar es Salaam to DR Congo over the next year. The operator said the order would help balance traffic flows, which are mostly towards Tanzania. Another contract covers the transport of 48 000 tonnes of petroleum to Malawi.
Roland Spedition, Hupac and Transagent have launched a weekly intermodal service between Wien Freudenau Hafen CCT and Rijeka AGCT.
Lafarge Zambia has awarded Zambia Railways Ltd a renewable three-year contract to transport coal, gypsum, clinker and cement using dedicated wagons within Zambia and to DR Congo Malawi and Tanzania. Lafarge Zambia CFO Chrissie Moloseni said this would reduce pressure on the road network, and help promote sustainable development.
An initial 30 of 780 coal hopper wagons which Pakistan Railways has ordered from CRRC Jinan have been delivered by sea, along with parts for the next 250 wagons which are to be assembled at PR’s Mughalpura workshop. The contract also includes 20 brake vans.