Vivo Energy Kenya, the distributor of Shell branded fuels and lubricants, has announced a shift to transporting more of their diesel by rail following an increase in specialized fuel transportation tanks by operator Rift Valley Railways to Nairobi.
This is the fourth month that Vivo Energy Kenya has been loading the product on RVR tank wagons, following a massive rehabilitation programme that will see 255 disused fuel-ferrying tanks brought back into service at the company’s workshops in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kampala.
Vivo Energy Kenya is the forerunner of this tank-wagon restoration programme that RVR is implementing in partnership with major oil transporters in the region. VEK has placed orders for 55 additional wagons.
Vivo Energy Kenya currently transports 4million tonnes to Nairobi and Uganda, which it hopes to double these volumes through this partnership. This has also been facilitated by rehabilitation of the railway siding that reaches into Vivo Energy Kenya’s Nairobi depot.
Speaking during the event, Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director, lauded RVR for their improved performance. “It is pleasing to see RVR improve its capacity to ferry fuel through this tank-wagon expansion programme. It’s about time Kenya Ports Authority increased the movement of goods from the port using rail than road, which produces fewer emissions and makes our roads safer due to reduced traffic.”
Rift Valley Railways’ Group CEO, Darlan De David explained, “In addition to expanding the capacity of rail to haul fuel through this rebuilding programme, we will be adding over 30 locomotives to our fleet this year which will considerably boost our motive power”.
He said the completion of the track rehabilitation of 73kms of the railway track between Nairobi and Mombasa and rebuilding of failing bridges near Jinja has seen the lifting of speed restrictions in many section and slashed transit time between the port and Nairobi by six hours.
“RVR will continue to invest in efficiencies in our operations and solutions for more bulk transportation of a mix of cargo to ensure that railway is established as a catalyst of growth of the economy,” Darlan added.
SOURCES