CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. (China), one of largest manufacturers of electric locomotives and high-speed trains in the world, has held a series of talks with Ukrainian railway operators with the aim of examining prospects for cooperation if private traction is launched in Ukraine.

A source close to the organizers of the talks disclosed this to the CFTS portal.

The possibility of acquiring new locomotives of various types for operation on the 1520-millimeter standard track gauge and ordering individual components for modernization of the existing locomotive fleet was discussed at the meetings.

Fu Yanping, deputy director of international relations at CRRC, expressed interest in further cooperation with Ukrainian companies.

In particular, CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. held talks with Lemtrans, the largest private railway operator in Ukraine. The two parties noted the great prospects for cooperation if the rail transport market in Ukraine is liberalized and private traction is launched. Representatives of Lemtrans will visit the Chinese manufacturer’s factories before the end of the year to study its model range.

Representatives of the Chinese company also met with representatives of the Association of Ukrainian Rail Carriers, where they also discussed prospects for joint production of locomotives in Ukraine and supply of finished products.

With assets of more than USD 4 billion, CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. is one of the largest manufacturers of railway locomotives and equipment. The company has 22 subsidiaries. It produces more than 50 modifications of locomotives.

As the CFTS portal reported, the CRRC Corporation built 1,530 locomotives in 2018.

As reported earlier, the Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) considers CRRC as one of the likely suppliers of freight electric locomotives. Ukrzaliznytsia’s head Yevhen Kravtsov recently discussed the advantages of Chinese locomotives. "Instead of the two-section, 8-axle locomotives that Ukrzaliznytsia is currently using, the Chinese are offering the option of switching to 1-section, 6 axle locomotives. Maintenance of such locomotives is 1.5 times cheaper. These are direct cost savings will allow us to be more competitive," Kravtsov said in September last year.

BKG1 electric locomotives manufactured by CRRC have been in operation on Belarusian railways since 2012.