Environment and Sustainability, Freight Rail, Rollingstock & Manufacturing

Fortescue forges ahead with decarbonisation

Two fortescue locos - Photo FMG

Fortescue continues to progress the decarbonisation of its locomotive fleet with the purchase of two new battery-electric locomotives to transport its iron ore in the Pilbara, WA, to port.

The new eight-axle locomotives will have an energy capacity of 14.5 megawatt hours and will be manufactured at the Progress Rail facility in Sete Lagoas, Brazil.

Fortescue Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines said the purchase of the new battery powered locomotives marked an important milestone in the decarbonisation of Fortescue’s locomotive fleet.

“It demonstrates our commitment to achieving carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, as we diversify from a pure play iron ore producer to a green renewables and resources company,” she said.

“The new locomotives will cut our emissions while also reducing our fuel costs and our overall operational expense through lower maintenance spend.

“The acquisition builds on the work being carried out by Fortescue Future Industries’ Green Team in Hazelmere to deliver locomotives operating solely on green ammonia and other green renewable fuels and technologies.”

Fortescue is expected to take delivery of its first battery-powered locomotive in 2023.

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) Chief Executive Officer, Julie Shuttleworth, said FFI was a key enabler of Fortescue’s decarbonisation strategy.

“Our Green Team has made outstanding progress in their mission to transform Fortescue’s trains, trucks, ships and other mobile equipment to operate on zero pollution fuels as soon as possible, and the purchase of these new battery powered locomotives complements this work,” she said.

“Fortescue and FFI are working together to demonstrate that renewables can power the energy needs of Australia’s mining and resources sector.”

Marty Haycraft, President and CEO of Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, said the company was pleased to be working with the Fortescue team to determine the application, feasibility, and suitability of battery electric technology for deployment on their railway and to manufacture two of its BE14.5BB locomotives for this important project.

More reading

E-locomotives for Roy Hill