Rail supplier news from GE, Arrows Up, Direct ChassisLink, AllTranstek and Strato (May 30)

The Nigerian government has selected a GE-led consortium as the preferred bidder for the Nigerian Railway Corp.'s concession project involving the rehabilitation, financing and operating of the Western and Eastern railway lines, as well as the main and other spur lines of the 2178-mile narrow-gauge rail system. The team is composed of GE, SinoHydro, Transnet and APM Terminals. The next phase in the process is concession negotiation, which involves a more detailed examination of the consortium's proposal. Subject to agreement by both parties, a full concession award is expected to be awarded after negotiations, GE officials said in a press release.

OmniTRAX Inc. affiliate Arrows Up LLC was issued a U.S. patent for its Rack & Riser unloading system. The patent covers the design, construction and usage of the system, which helps shippers of frac sand and other bulk commodities efficiently unload product into storage or transport receptacles. Arrows Up recently received another patent for the design, construction and usage of its Jumbo Bin bulk material shipping container.

Direct ChassisLink Inc. has appointed Brian Taylor president, effective June 1. He most recently served as chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Port Authority. Taylor also has held senior leadership roles at shipping companies Sea-Land and Horizon Lines, where his responsibilities included logistics, sales and marketing, operations, and general management.

AllTranstek LLC has promoted Allison Bernabei to vice president of fleet management services. In the expanded role, she'll focus on defining customer requirements and expectations, increasing communication and improving efficiencies, company officials said in a press release. Bernabei joined AllTranstek in 1997.

Strato Inc. received TTX Co.'s 2016 Supplier Evaluation Committee (SECO) Award. The recognition marks the 21st consecutive year that Strato has received the honor, according to a company press release. TTX supplies rail cars and related freight-car management services to the North American rail industry.