The Swedish mining company LKAB has signed a new haulage contract with freight logistics supplier Hector Rail for the period of five years. The contract will be effective from December 2017.

Hector Rail is an important supplier for the European rail transport market with operations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany. The contract covers the operation of trains with mining supplies between the Swedish cities of Luleå, Malmberget and Kiruna seven days per week, as well as shunting in Luleå and Malmberget.

Siemens Vectron locomotives

Hector Rail plans to employ its new Siemens Vectron locomotives for the job. In March this year the company ordered 15 of these locomotives, in additional to its existing fleet of five since 2016. The new batch is expected to arrive beginning 2018.

The Siemens train is renowned for its radio remote control, allowing it to operate on stretches without a power line. Due to this equipment, the need for a separate diesel locomotive for the last part of the transportation path is eliminated.