Ukrzaliznytsia's freight locomotive fleet will be modernised with a EUR 300 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support the purchase of electric locomotives. The agreement was signed at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference (URC2024) in Berlin on 11-12 June by Ukrainian Railways, the EBRD, and the Ministry of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development.
Previously, as part of the 'Restoration of Critical Logistics Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (RELINC)' project, funded by the World Bank, Ukrzaliznytsia was confirmed to receive USD 190 million.
“The issue of updating the Ukrzaliznytsia freight locomotive fleet is critical and urgent. The collaboration with the World Bank and the EBRD is an example of how one of the largest international financial institutions joined forces to implement such a large-scale project. Acquiring new and high-tech electric locomotives will significantly increase the efficiency of freight transport,” said Yevhen Lyashchenko, the CEO of Ukraine Railways.
A pre-investment technical, environmental, social, financial, and economic analysis of the project has also been agreed. In addition to supplying the locomotives, the tender stipulates that the winner must create conditions in Ukraine for the maintenance and warranty repair of the new rolling stock. This is an evolutionary step in the approach to renewing the fleet, as the company is not only buying equipment but also changing the way it maintains it. It will also enable the company to localize as far as possible its facilities for the maintenance and repair of locomotives in Ukraine.
