CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company Ltd signed a contract to supply 232 diesel locomotives to South Africa's Transnet SOC Ltd on Monday in Johannesburg, making it the largest single export order for China-made diesel locomotives.

It will also be the first time for China's diesel locomotives to enter South Africa, according to sources from CNR Dalian.

The narrow-gauge locomotives specially designed for Transnet have the most advanced technological level and largest power at present, CNR sources said. With power of up to 3,300 kW and a 1,065-mm gauge, they can operate alongside South Africa's existing electronic locomotives, sources said.

Thanks to its strong research and development capabilities and reliable application, CNR Dalian of China CNR Co Ltd, one of the country's biggest train makers, is accelerating its pace to develop the African market.

To date, locomotives manufactured by CNR Dalian have been exported to many African countries and regions, such as Tanzania, Zambia, Congo, Angola, Nigeria and Ethiopia.