The French multinational rail transport systems manufacturer Alstom and the Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) have announced an agreement for the supply of 55 Traxx locomotives. The agreement will be financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EUR 300 million) and the World Bank (USD 190 million), the CFTS portal reports.
The locomotives will be designed and manufactured at Alstom's Belfort facility in France.
The first new electric locomotive is expected to arrive in Ukraine during the first quarter of 2027. It will then undergo certification and the required tests. The entire batch will be delivered between 2027 and 2029.
The contract price includes training for train drivers and maintenance personnel, as well as some part deliveries.
"This contract with Ukrainian Railways represents a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting the modernization of rail transport in Ukraine. The locomotives we will deliver are tailored to meet the country’s specific infrastructure needs, while ensuring high performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. We are proud to contribute to Ukraine’s resilience and economic development through sustainable mobility solutions," said Alstom's Chief Executive Officer Henri Poupart-Lafarge.
"The strategic agreement, which we have signed with Alstom for the supply of 55 modern freight locomotives, is an important step toward solving the critical problem of the outdated traction fleet, with an average age of 46 years, and an investment in economic security and the sustainability of our logistics. This agreement is an important signal of the trust of international partners (URTF Fund of the World Bank, EBRD) in the future of the Ukrainian railway industry. We are grateful to our partners for this support," said Ukrzaliznytsia's Board Chairman Oleksandr Pertsovskyi.
The dual-voltage locomotives will be adapted to 3-kV DC and 25-kV AC traction systems. With power ranging from 7.2 to 9.4 MW, the locomotives will reach speeds of 120 km/h. Their design ensures high operational efficiency, reliability, and energy efficiency, enabling them to haul heavier loads than other solutions currently available on the market.
Although the locomotives will be manufactured in France because of the terms of international financing and the tight delivery schedule, the agreement also creates long-term opportunities for domestic component manufacturers for decades ahead.
The contract was concluded based on the results of an international tender organized by the World Bank. More than ten companies — manufacturers of railway rolling stock from Europe and Asia — participated in the tender. Alstom Transport S.A. submitted a concrete tender offer. The company’s tender proposal was thoroughly evaluated and assessed under international rules, with the involvement of independent technical and procurement consultants.
Market analysis conducted by independent consultants confirmed that the price per axle and per kW of Alstom's high-power, dual-system electric locomotives is competitive and cost-effective. Thanks to grant funding, the effective cost for Ukrzaliznytsia under this project is reduced by an additional 37%.
