Leading Czech rail freight carrier ORLEN Unipetrol Doprava has added the last, eleventh Siemens Vectron MS locomotive to its fleet, thus completing an extensive fleet renewal programme that began in 2017. Modernisation aimed to increase the efficiency and sustainability of rail transport and strengthen the company's competitiveness in the European market.
"The commissioning of the last Siemens Vectron locomotive marks the completion of one of the largest investment projects in the history of our railway transport. With these interoperable locomotives and state-of-the-art technologies, we are increasing the reliability, safety, and environmental friendliness of our transport services," said Mariusz Wnuk, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group.
The fleet modernisation is part of ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s long-term strategy, which is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Investing in modern locomotives enables the company not only to reduce its carbon footprint, but also to optimise operations, and offer its customers top-quality transport services.
"ORLEN Unipetrol Doprava has always relied on the reliability and technological maturity of Siemens Vectron locomotives. We are pleased that our locomotives have become a key part of its fleet and help it meet its strategic goals in sustainability and efficiency," adds Roman Kokšal, CEO of Siemens Mobility Czech Republic.
Siemens Vectron MS locomotives have an output of 6,400 kW and a standard operating speed of 100 km/h in rail freight transport. They are designed to operate on multiple power supply systems on the European rail network, allowing them to be widely deployed internationally. The locomotives are equipped with the modern European Train Control System (ETCS), which ensures safe operation even on lines with strict safety requirements. They also have the GSM-R communication system, remote diagnostics, and the possibility of continuous monitoring of technical conditions, which increases operational efficiency and reduces the risk of unplanned outages. The safety of Vectron locomotives is also enhanced by passive safety features that protect the driver in the event of an emergency. The cab is designed for maximum crew protection, including crumple zones to absorb impact energy. The driver's ergonomic cabin allows efficient control of all functions and minimises fatigue on long journeys.
"We added the first Siemens Vectron MS locomotive to our fleet in October 2017. Since then, we have clocked up more than 5,550,000 kilometres with these locomotives and transported more than 10 million tonnes of mainly chemical materials and goods. Thanks to these modern universal locomotives, we have managed to increase the volume of transported products and at the same time optimise the total operating costs of our fleet, " adds Jaroslav Dvořák, Executive of ORLEN Unipetrol Doprava.
ORLEN Unipetrol Doprava is a significant rail freight operator in the Czech Republic. With its contractual partners, it ensures transport to both neighbouring countries and Benelux and the Balkans. It offers a broad portfolio of services on the railway market. Besides transporting chemical products, it also provides forwarding services, railway car rentals, repair and cleaning services, and consulting activities. Its customers include members of the international ORLEN Group and external companies, including major rail forwarders, foreign carriers, and chemical plants without any connection to the group.
The ORLEN Unipetrol Group is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on crude oil processing and the production, distribution and sale of vehicle fuels and petrochemical products – particularly plastics and fertilisers. It belongs among the key players on the Czech and Central European markets in all these areas. The ORLEN Unipetrol Group encompasses refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, REMAQ in Otrokovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. ORLEN Unipetrol also includes the ORLEN network of petrol stations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. ORLEN Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. It employs over 6,000 people. ORLEN Unipetrol is also a socially responsible company, particularly in the areas of supporting sustainable development, education, local communities and the environment. Its quality employee care is attested to by the prestigious Top Employer certificate which the Group received in 2023 and 2024 and by a host of national accolades. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became part of the ORLEN Group, the largest energy company in Central Europe