The Ukrainian Railways public joint-stock company (Ukrzaliznytsia) plans to purchase new alternating-current electric freight locomotives in 2019. Potential suppliers of the locomotives will be asked to localize production in Ukraine. Ukrzaliznytsia’s acting Board Chairman Yevhen Kravtsov announced this during a visit to the Kovel locomotive depot jointly with Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.
According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the company plans to complete the electrification of the Kovel-Izov railway stretch in 2020. The feasibility study for the project has already been performed and the project itself will soon be prepared and submitted to the government for approval.
Kravtsov said it would be necessary to purchase new alternating-current freight electric locomotives after completion of the electrification of this railway stretch.
"Ukrzaliznytsia is already studying the market of manufacturers of such rolling stock, and it is planning to purchase it next year. We will also set the condition that the relevant production should be localized in Ukraine," Kravtsov said.
As reported, it was reported in March that Ukrzaliznytsia was holding talks with the companies Siemens, Bombardier, CRRC, and Alstom on purchase of electric locomotives.
Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelian predicted at the end of 2017 that Ukrzaliznytsia would have problems with transportation with electric traction within 1-1.5 years.
Ukrzaliznytsia had a fleet of 1,720 electric locomotives at the beginning of January 2017, of which 1,061 were in service, 509 were inoperative, and 150 were in reserve. Ukrzaliznytsia last bought electric locomotives in 2012.
