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Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director flags off train transporting diesel by operator Rift Valley Railways. Looking on is RVR Group CEO Darlan De David. Vivo Energy Kenya is the frontrunner of RVR’s tank-wagon restoration programme that the company is implementing in partnership with a number of major oil distributers and transporters in the region.
RVR’s expanded capacity to ferry diesel provides VEK with safer, more sustainable and efficient option
Friday, 13th June 2014, Nairobi….Vivo Energy, the distributor of Shell branded fuels and lubricants, has today announced a shift to transporting more of their diesel by rail following increased availability of specialized fuel transportation tanks by rail operator Rift Valley Railways.
This follows a massive rehabilitation programme that will see 255 disused fuel-ferrying tanks brought back into service at RVR’s workshops in Kampala, Nairobi and Mombasa.
RVR currently moves 10,000 tonnes of automotive diesel and other liquid products that have converted to the use of rail such as crude palm oil for various clients in Kampala, Jinja and other destinations.
RVR plans to acquire a further 100 tank wagons, which, when added to the 100 currently in operation, will bring the number of fuel-carrying wagons in service to 450 by the third quarter of next year.
Vivo Energy Kenya is the frontrunner of RVR’s tank-wagon restoration programme that the company is implementing in partnership withmajor oil distributers and transporters in the region.
The initiative has put in place enhanced security measureswhich withrail’s strong safety record will see Vivo and other downstream oil marketers in Uganda begin moving more bulk fuel by rail.
Vivo has placed orders for 55 wagons to be delivered over the next four months. The company currently transports 4 million litres of diesel per month by rail to Uganda and Kenya but plans to double these volumes in the near term.
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Speaking at an event to launch the programme, Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Polycarp Igathe lauded RVR for its improved performance.
“It is pleasing to see RVR improve its capacity to ferry fuel through this tank-wagon expansion programme. Increasing the movement of goods using rail rather than road produces fewer emissions and makes our roads safer due to reduced traffic”, he said.
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 rehabilitation of 73kms of worn railway tracks 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 improving our operating efficiencies and in solutions for more bulk transportation of different types of cargo to ensure that railway is a true catalyst of growth in regional economies,” De David added.
