The Ukrainian Railways joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) plans to purchase 80 electric locomotives.
This was announced in a statement on the Client e-Procurement Portal of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) or ECEPP.
The tender was announced as part of the Repairing Essential Logistics Infrastructure & Network Connectivity (RELINC) Project administered by the World Bank.
The potential supplier must develop and offer Ukrzaliznytsia 80 mainline electric locomotives for dual (AC/DC) supply voltage, including 25 kV, and a minimum operating speed of 120 km/h. Additionally, the supplier must train Ukrzaliznytsia personnel to operate the new locomotives.
Applications for the tender will be accepted until July 22, 2024.
As noted on the World Bank portal, Ukrzaliznytsia has applied for financing from the World Bank to cover the costs of the RELINC project and intends to use part of the funds to finance the "Purchase of Electric Locomotives" contract. Similarly, Ukrzaliznytsia has applied for financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
This strategic move reflects Ukrzaliznytsia's commitment to securing external funding sources to support key projects and initiatives to modernize and improve the efficiency of Ukraine's railway infrastructure.
Additionally, it is specified that participants in the tender must submit two versions of their tender proposal: one for 30 locomotives and one for 80 locomotives. Depending on the availability of funding, the contract will be awarded to the participant that offers the most favorable proposal, as follows:
- 80 locomotives under two separate contracts for 30 and 50 locomotives, which a World Bank grant and an EBRD loan will finance;
- 30 locomotives under one contract, to be financed only with funds from the World Bank.
As reported previously, at the beginning of 2022, Ukraine and France agreed on the supply of 130 Alstom electric locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia for a total of EUR 900 million. However, things have not progressed beyond the signing of the protocol because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The French manufacturer can participate in the new tender on equal terms with other bidders.
