First Vectrons From Akiem Order In Operation

On 22 March 2023, CER Cargo Holding took delivery of the first two of six Vectrons to be hired from Akiem. They represent the A17 version, which means they are equipped to operate in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Austria, Romania, Slovenia and Croatia and could realistically be in service in most of these countries.

At the same time, these Vectrons are the very first to be delivered from Akiem's order for 20 Vectron MS machines announced in December 2021. Subsequently, another 65 were ordered from the same framework contract in August 2022, some of which will be designed for 230 km/h. Akiem has now confirmed that the number of Vectrons ordered has not increased since then, but still does not specify how many of these will be delivered in the faster version.

For Akiem, the expansion of the Vectron range is a significant development, as until those orders it had only focused on different versions of TRAXXes when acquiring new electric locomotives and only had a pair of Vectrons in its fleet, which it acquired with the takeover of maintenance company mgw Service.