The first GDU train cars, which have among the highest capacity of any in the world, have arrived in São Luís, Maranhão in Brazil. The cars will enable 20% more freight to be transported compared with the GDT cars (32.5 tons per axle) currently used on the Carajás Railroad (EFC). The new cars can carry up to 37.5 tons per axle and 150 gross tons per car.
It is estimated that by the end of the year the EFC, which already has the longest commercial train in the world (334 cars), will receive more than 2,000 of the new train cars. In March, 112 cars made their first trip from Carajás, Pará to São Luís, Maranhão.
Investing in growth
The arrival of these cars is part of a project to expand Vale’s Northern System. The program entails renovating and double-tracking the EFC and building Pier IV at Ponta da Madeira Maritime Terminal in São Luís. The new GDU cars are being built in Hortolândia in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.