You're reading: Russia’s Transmashholding to supply 300 electric freight locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia in 2012-2016

Kyiv, Dec. 30 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Russian-based Transmashholding, the owner of the Ukrainian-based Luhanskteplovoz holding company, will supply 300 electric freight locomotives to the Ukrainian State Rail Transport Administration, Ukrzaliznytsia, in 2012-2016.

Corresponding agreements were signed in Kyiv on December 29, 2011, according to Ukrzaliznytsia’s press service.

In particular, Ukrzaliznytsia will buy 230 2ES4K-series DC locomotives and 70 2ES5K-series AC locomotives.

The project will be implemented at the expense of loans to be provided by Russian banks.

The locomotives will be manufactured at the Russian-based Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant (NEVZ), which is part of Transmashholding. Yet, the signed agreements foresee the 40% Ukrainian content rule.

According to the report, the Yasynuvata-based engine house in Donetsk region will be the base train shed for the new locomotives. Service centers for these locomotives will be opened in Yasynuvata.

Ukrzaliznytsia’s press service noted that the acquisition of new rolling stock is envisaged in a program for the upgrading of Ukraine’s locomotive fleet for 2012-2016. New 509 freight and passenger locomotives are to be bought under the program. The program is financed at the expense of Ukrainian railways’ own and borrowed funds, as well as from other sources. The financing of the program is fixed at UAH 28.67 billion.

As reported, on July 20, 2011, Ukrzaliznytsia, Transmashholding, Luhanskteplovoz, and Luhansk Regional Administration signed a protocol of intent on the acquisition of 292 2EL4 freight direct-current locomotives by Ukrzaliznytsia in 2012-2016. Ukrzaliznytsia Director General Volodymyr Kozak, Luhansk Governor Volodymyr Prystiuk, Transmashholding commercial director Shukhrat Makhmudov and Luhanskteplovoz Director General Serhiy Mikheyev signed a memorandum of cooperation in Kyiv.

At the same time, talks on concluding a contract were postponed due to the fact that Transmashholding wanted to transfer Ukrzaliznytsia’s order from Luhanskteplovoz to NEVZ. Prystiuk in turn suggested that Transmashholding could place a similar order to manufacture diesel locomotive at Luhanskteplovoz.