KUALA LUMPUR: SMH Rail Sdn Bhd has today unveiled its newly-manufactured locomotives and is poised to ship the first batch to its maiden export market soon.
The "H10 Series" of locomotives was built with advanced technology to reduce emission with "Towards Green Mobility" tagline, said SMH Rail, a rolling stock manufacturer and maintenance service provider.
SMH Rail chairman and managing director Datuk PK Nara said the first batch of the locomotives would be delivered to Tanzania Railways Corporation which had placed the order based on funding support from the World Bank.
"I am confident that these locomotives will bring enormous economic benefits to the African rail cargo industry.
"It is efficient in bridging connectivity, increases supply-chain access, accelerates industrialisation and promotes cross-border trade," Nara said at the virtual launch today.
He added that with more than 60 per cent of its content locally-manufactured in Malaysia, the H10 Series marked a cornerstone achievement of SMH Rail in the global rail industry.
SMH Rail said the H10 Series locomotives provided an intrinsic value to the environment and railway ecosystem together with innovation in design engineering that will fuel green operations.
"The H10 Series locomotives that were manufactured locally not only showcases Malaysia's expertise in rolling stock market but has also earned recognition by The Malaysian Book of Records as the 'First Made in Malaysia Locomotive' for the export market."
The company added that the H10 Series can potentially replace 100 cargo trucks, reduce carbon emissions by up to 75 per cent, lower highway congestion, and was four times more fuel-efficient than road freight transport on average.
"Its practical design ensures high reliability and availability for improved operational efficiency, increased haulage capacity and reduction of maintenance challenges, resulting in lower overall life cycle costs."
SMH Rail said with rapid growth in transport solutions, the H10 Series locomotives would enable a vision towards the future that is clean, fast and green.
The company added that it would continue to leverage opportunities and partnerships to develop its national and global footprint.