The competition for supply of electric locomotives to the Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) will provide for 35% localization of production at facilities belonging to Ukrainian industrial enterprises.

This was announced by Ukrzaliznytsia’s board member Frantisek Bures, the CFTS portal reports.

According to Bures, this minimum level of localization was set by the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade, and Agriculture together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the relevant Ukrainian industrial associations.

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the process of selection of suppliers of electric locomotives is currently at the qualification stage.

"The main goal of this stage is to compile a list of direct manufacturers with experience of production of electric locomotives. We have received proposals from all over the world. Ukrzaliznytsia is now studying all the proposals from the participants, after which it will compile a shortlist of recommended suppliers," Bures said.

As reported, the process of selection of a manufacturer to upgrade Ukrzaliznytsia’s fleet of electric locomotives was launched in late April. In late May, Ukrzaliznytsia extended the deadline for submitting responses to invitations to participate in the process of inclusion on the shortlist of manufacturers of electric locomotives for upgrading the company’s fleet until June 15, 2020. According to the invitation to participate in the process, Ukrzaliznytsia has determined that it needs to purchase 135 AC electric locomotives, 50 DC electric locomotives, and 20 dual-system AC/DC electric locomotives (25kV/3kV). Initially, the document stated that "the manufacturer must confirm its readiness for at least 15% (preferably 25-30% or higher) localization of production of all electric locomotives in Ukraine with subsequent increase of the level of localization."

Ukrainian enterprises, including the Kryukov Railcar Building Works, the Interpipe pipe and wheel company, and the Elektron concern, are calling for at least 50% localization of production of electric locomotives in Ukraine. 

"According to preliminary information, non-local production of electric locomotives for Ukrzaliznytsia will begin in late 2020 and take 9-18 months," Bures said in early June.