Medway France Acquires Four Stadler Euro6000s in France

LYON, FRANCE – Medway France has formally taken delivery of four new Stadler Euro6000 locomotives at a ceremony at Lyon-Perrache Station. The acquisition supports the company’s growing rail freight services, which commenced in December 2023 with a route between Caffiers and Dunkerque. The new locomotives will also be deployed on a planned corridor connecting Fos-sur-Mer with Lyon.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The procurement covers the supply of four Stadler Euro6000 six-axle electric locomotives. These units are specifically designed for heavy freight haulage and are equipped for multi-system operation across different European electrification standards, featuring four pantographs. The locomotives will be used to transport up to 3,600 tons of raw materials per train for the steel industry on a new service in northern France and to establish a new freight link in the south-east.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

This order of four locomotives represents a targeted fleet expansion for a new market entrant. For comparison, established French operator Captrain France (a subsidiary of SNCF) placed a larger order for 12 Stadler Euro6000 locomotives in 2021 to operate cross-border services into Spain. The scale of Medway’s purchase is typical for an initial operational phase, rather than a large-scale fleet renewal. The total cost of the Medway acquisition was not disclosed.

The Stadler Euro6000 competes directly with other high-power, multi-system locomotives in the European market, most notably the Siemens Vectron MS. The Vectron MS offers a comparable power output of 6.4 MW and has achieved wider market adoption, with over 2,400 units sold across Europe as of early 2024. (Source: Siemens Mobility, 2024). The Euro6000’s specific design strengths for the French and Iberian networks, however, make it a strategic choice for operators on these corridors.

Editor’s Analysis

Medway’s locomotive purchase is a clear example of the vertical integration strategy being pursued by global maritime shipping giants. By acquiring its own rail assets, parent company MSC gains direct control over inland logistics, reducing dependency on third-party operators and capturing more value from the end-to-end supply chain. This trend of carriers becoming integrated logistics providers is reshaping the European rail freight market, increasing competition for traditional state-owned and private rail operators. France’s significant investment in its national and urban transport networks, including the Grand Paris Express, creates a favourable environment for such integrated logistics expansion. (Source: European Union Agency for Railways, 2023 Market Report).

FAQ

Q: What is special about the Stadler Euro6000 locomotive?
A: The Stadler Euro6000 is a high-power (6,170 kW) multi-system electric locomotive designed to operate under different railway electrification systems, such as 1.5kV DC, 3kV DC, and 25kV AC. This versatility allows it to run seamless cross-border freight services, particularly between France and Spain, without changing locomotives.

Q: Why is a shipping company like MSC buying trains in France?
A: MSC, through its logistics arm MEDLOG and rail subsidiary Medway, is building an integrated, end-to-end logistics network. Owning its own trains gives the company greater control over costs, scheduling, and reliability for moving containers and goods from seaports to inland destinations.

Q: What specific routes will these new locomotives serve?
A: The locomotives will primarily support two key services for Medway France. One is an existing route between Caffiers and Dunkerque for the steel industry, and the other is a new planned service connecting the major port of Fos-sur-Mer with the Édouard Herriot port in Lyon.