Imperial Cargo, a division of JSE-listed Imperial Group, has procured 60 MAN TGS 26.440 truck-tractors to service its line-haul operations in southern Africa, according to a Cape Business News report.

The new vehicles will join the 44 MAN TGS 26.440 units currently operating in the Imperial Cargo fleet which now numbers more than 350 trucks.Established in 1997, Imperial Cargo operates a mix of truck brands and deployed its first MAN trucks in 2012 following successful in-fleet trials on the TGS 26.440, according to the report.

As a purpose-built long-haul prime-mover, the 6x4 MAN TGS 26.440 is equipped with a 12.419L in-line common-rail diesel engine with a power rating of 324kW at 1700-1900r/min, and a torque output of 2100Nm at 1000-1400r/min. It boasts a double sleeper cab, automated manual transmission with a ZF retarder, air suspension and hypoid rear axles, according to the report.

The reported noted that Imperial Cargo’s line-haul operation extends across South Africa and Namibia, servicing blue-chip FMCG clients like Distell, Woolworths and Nampak. With its headquarters (and three depots) in the Western Cape, Imperial Cargo also has depots in Gauteng, Kwa Zulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Namibia. Its cross border services include freight transport to other sub-equatorial countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Botswana and Mozambique.

The 60 new trucks have been procured on a 36-month/600,000km off balance sheet rental agreement and are each expected to travel an average of 16,000km per month, according to the report.