PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Modern Transportation, an industry leader in bulk logistics solutions, announced today the successful deployment of freight service to the Owens Corning Roofing Plant in Savannah, GA using trucks powered solely by 12-liter natural gas-fueled engines. The high volume, dedicated service established between Sanford, NC and Savannah, GA on April 18th, 2013, is the first ever built around commercial-order, production-built engines (Cummins Westport ISX12 G) fueled exclusively with liquefied natural gas (LNG).
“We’re absolutely thrilled to operate the first production transportation service powered by 12-liter natural gas engines,” said Patrick Cozzens, president of Modern Transportation. “Along with our partners who made this happen and Owens Corning who ‘drove’ the idea, we’re committed to delivering high quality logistics solutions in the safest, greenest and most sustainable fashion. As a participant in the natural gas production industry, we’re also delighted and honored to utilize America’s own shale gas reserves to power our fleet.”
This breakthrough in truck fuel technology and power was given strong impetus by Owens Corning through their strategic focus on transitioning their supply chain into natural gas-fueled solutions as rapidly as possible. A Fortune 500® manufacturer and market innovator in glass-fiber technology, Owens Corning operates one of the nations’ largest supply chain infrastructures. OC’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Frank O’Brien-Bernini, took note of this milestone: “As we strive to improve the total life cycle environmental impact of our products, we have challenged our supply chain/logistics partners to join us in dramatically reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of our inbound raw materials and outbound finished products. Modern Transportation has proactively embraced this challenge, solving problems and presenting viable conversion opportunities. We applaud their initiative in contributing to our diesel-to-natural gas conversion strategy.”
Modern Transportation has closely monitored the NG-powered truck sector and had opted to defer on freight opportunities tied to natural gas powering until the output from prior generation 9-liter engines was improved upon. Patrick Cozzens elaborated, “The horsepower required to move the freight loads common to heavy bulk trucking – particularly for the high volume, mission-critical manufacturers who demand safe, reliable and responsive service – made the 12-liter motor a necessity. As the NG fuel supply infrastructure matures, we believe this generation of NG-fueled engines will transform the face of trucking.”
The power plant making this service possible is the Cummins Westport ISX12 G installed in Freightliner Cascadia day cabs. Old Dominion Truck Leasing actively pursed ownership of these first production units and leases them directly to Modern Transportation. The fleet will fuel at Clean Energy’s Latta, SC station and will complete each 600-mile roundtrip on a single fueling.
About Modern Transportation: www.moderntrans.com
A leader in innovative logistics solutions for the bulk materials industry, Modern serves Fortune 500® manufacturers and the mineral & material producers who supply them. The company recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary along with many of its launch customers who have remained in partnership throughout. Modern serves industries from glass production to roofing, from chemical manufacturing to natural gas drilling & production – hauling a range of liquid and dry bulk materials from terminals across the United States.
For details, contact Rich Kushner: 412-489-4778 / richard.kushner@moderntrans.com
About Cummins Westport: www.cumminswestport.com
Cummins Westport Inc. designs, engineers and markets spark-ignited natural gas engines for medium- and heavy-duty transportation applications such as trucks and buses. Cummins Westport is a joint venture of Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI), a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems, and Westport Innovations Inc. (NASDAQ: WPRT / TSX: WPT), a global leader in alternative fuel, low-emissions technologies that allow engines to operate on clean-burning fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen and biofuels such as landfill gas.
For details, contact Nicole Adams: 604-718-2011 / media@westport.com
About Old Dominion Truck Leasing: www.odleasing.com
Old Dominion Truck Leasing has a unique history in the transportation industry. The company was founded in 1963 by Jack Congdon, and has continued to grow for 50 years. Over the years, the company’s menu of services has increased to include full-service leasing, quality rentals, sales and service, contract and commercial maintenance, used equipment sales, and dedicated logistics. The company credits its success to its core philosophies of integrity, flexibility, and creativity
For details, contact Jeff Congdon: 804-275-7832x106 / jwcongdon@odleasing.com
About Freightliner: www.freightlinertrucks.com
Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and is the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 4-8 trucks and is a Daimler company, the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer.
For details, contact Dave Giroux: 503-745-6435 / david.giroux@daimler.com
About Clean Energy Fuels: www.cleanenergyfuels.com
Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE) is the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America. We build and operate compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations; manufacture CNG and LNG equipment and technologies for ourselves and other companies; convert taxis, vans, pick-up trucks and shuttle buses to natural gas; and develop renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities.
For details, contact Patric Rayburn: 562.936.7583 / patric.rayburn@cleanenergyfuels.com