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28. January 2021Metrans, the railway subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), has fully equipped its fleet of approximately 3,000 container wagons with the so-called ‘whisper brakes’ (K-shoe). With this, Metrans has already implemented the ban on noisy freight wagons in Germany, as decided by the Bundestag, for the entire European rail network.
(Hamburg) The driving and braking noises of the wagons are reduced by half because the composite material of the K-shoe is harder than the actual wheel. Not only is the braking process quieter, but the wheels are also smoothed by the shoe, leading to less friction noise with the rail.
The wagons of Metrans are predominantly lightweight wagons and therefore particularly energy-efficient. They make eco-efficient rail transport even more sustainable, as they are about 4,000 kilograms lighter than conventional container wagons. Their rolling resistance is lower, and they require less energy for transport. Additionally, a special design allows containers to be placed more closely together on block trains of up to 700 meters in length, enabling more boxes to be transported at the same train length. The wagons were jointly developed by Metrans and the Slovak manufacturer Tatravagonka.
Innovations are the Right Path to Sustainability
For Peter Kiss, CEO of the Metrans Group, innovations are the right way to achieve more sustainability: “Our rail transport is ecologically superior to road traffic. However, we must not rest on our laurels but continue to build on this advantage. At Metrans, we therefore pay attention to every detail.”
Metrans was the first company in the world to test environmentally friendly hybrid technology during shunting, whose drive machines emit up to 50 percent less CO2 compared to conventional shunting locomotives. Other pollutant emissions, such as nitrogen dioxide, are even reduced by up to 70 percent. Meanwhile, three of these hybrid shunting locomotives are part of the regular vehicle fleet. Depending on the application, a shunting locomotive operates between 50 and 70 percent of its operating time in battery mode, reducing fuel consumption by up to 50 percent.
Latest Generation Electric Locomotives
Also, on the numerous train connections between the seaports and Metrans terminals, the latest generation electric locomotives are used, characterized by modern energy-efficient technology, high performance, and traction power, as well as flexible cross-border deployment. They are equipped with noise-reducing disc brakes and use their electric motors to assist in braking processes. Thus, up to 18 percent of energy is recovered during braking and fed back into the power grid.
About HHLA
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) is a leading European logistics company. With a dense network of seaport terminals in Hamburg, Odessa, Tallinn, and Trieste, excellent hinterland connections, and associated intermodal hubs in Central and Eastern Europe, HHLA is the logistical and digital hub along the transport flows of the future. The business model relies on innovative technologies and is committed to sustainability.
Photo: © HHLA/Metrans
