A firm order for 20 Vectron locomotives has been placed with Siemens Mobility by rolling stock leasing specialists Akiem.

The order has been completed and is part of a framework purchase agreement signed in August 2021 and is for locomotives, ancillary equipment and services.

This latest contract establishes Akiem as a leader within the European leasing market and is an example of their aim to supply European freight and passenger operators with efficient, safe and reliable rolling stock.

The Vectron multisystem locomotives within the order will include a maximum output of 6.4 MW with a top speed of 200 kph. The locomotives will be fitted with the required national train control system and the European Train Control System, ETCS.

Siemens Mobility has already sold 1,156 Vectron locomotives to date, which includes 767 Vectron MS units, to 58 customers through 16 different countries and as a fleet has accumulated over 500 million kilometres in service so far. Locomotives based on the Vectron platform are endorsed for use in 20 European countries.

CEO of the Akiem group, Fabien Rochefort, said: “We are proud to build on a new partnership with Siemens Mobility and diversify our fleet portfolio. At Akiem, we are committed to offering our customers across Europe the locomotives that will secure and develop their cross-border operations. We continue to strengthen our ability to deliver the reliable, efficient, safe and cost-effective traction services that passengers and freight operators demand. This acquisition will greatly help the wider development of our passenger activities, with vehicles offering traction speeds of up to 200 kph. We are thrilled to continue providing our customers with state-of-the-art locomotives for corridors towards markets in Scandinavia, Italy and Central and South-Eastern Europe.”

CEO Rolling Stock at Siemens Mobility, Albrecht Neumann, said: “We are very pleased to win Akiem as a new Vectron customer. Vectron is a highly reliable, environmentally friendly and powerful locomotive that meets European transport requirements and gives our customers maximum flexibility.