Europorte and Alstom sign rail freight partnership agreement

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Europorte, the rail freight subsidiary of the Eurotunnel Group, and Alstom have signed a partnership agreement covering the maintenance of 17 Alstom manufactured Prima locomotives now operated by Europorte.

Within this framework, the two partners will improve the management and availability of the Europorte locomotive fleet. To do this, they will analyse existing processes; optimise maintenance cycles, interventions on the locomotives and the equipment of the maintenance sites. They will work to reduce the transport to depot time and the locomotive down time to generate significant productivity improvements.

With the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) now applicable to the Channel Tunnel, the two partners are planning to organise homologation tests for the new generation of Alstom Prima II locomotives in the autumn of 2012.

Jacques Gounon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Eurotunnel SA, stated, This agreement will enable Europorte and Alstom to put their combined experience, as manufacturer and locomotive fleet operator, together thereby ensuring the future of rail freight between Great Britain and the Continent.

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Chairman of Alstom Transport, stated, This partnership between an operator and a manufacturer is particularly important as it will bring about a reduction in maintenance and operating costs; it is a win-win approach in support of the development of rail freight.

About Europorte

The first French private operator to obtain a licence, in 2004, allowing it to develop rail services throughout the European Union, Europorte is a 100%-owned subsidiary of the Eurotunnel Group specialising in rail freight and operating on the French and British networks.Europorte has over 1,000 employees and provides customised solutions to industrial companies, offering a complete package covering all freight sectors: from national and international haulage for logistics operators, to local freight service management on secondary lines and local rail service operations. More information on www.europorte.com

About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and markets the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, taking in rolling stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers turnkey solutions. Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.2 billion euros in the fiscal year 2011-2012. Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs 24,700 people.

Europorte press contact: John Keefe, Consultant: +44 (0) 1303 284491, Upress@eurotunnel.com

Alstom press contacts: Christine Rahard, Isabelle Tourancheau: + 33 (0) 1 41 49 32 95 / 39 95, christine.rahard@chq.alstom.com , isabelle.tourancheau@chq.alstom.com

Linda Huguet (trade media relations): + 33 (0) 01 57 06 10 42, linda.huguet@transport.alstom.com  

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