Železničná spoločnosť Cargo Slovakia (ZSSK Cargo) signed a long-term agreement with Rolling Stock Lease (RS Lease) for the use of 15 Siemens Vectron MS locomotives, Railpage.net informs.
The agreement follows a procurement process launched at the end of August 2025. It covers a ten-year operational period with an option for purchase. ZSSK Cargo also secured an option for an additional 15 locomotives, exercisable within 24 months from the effective date. Any later extension would require mutual consent.
Monthly payments per locomotive are set at EUR 56,000 (excluding VAT), covering all maintenance and operational services. The annual mileage cap under this cost is limited to 220,000 kilometres.
Delivery will be split across three phases:
- First 5 units by 31 March 2026
- Another 5 between April and December 2026
- Final 5 between April and December 2027
The agreement ends on 31 December 2037 for the initial batch. Locomotives from the optional tranche would be operated for 10 years from their handover. Early deliveries remain possible subject to agreement between both parties.
The procurement criteria gave the highest weight to monthly costs (60 points), with additional points awarded for mileage overage charges, expected maintenance downtime, maintenance site distance from the home depot, and the mileage of locomotives at handover.
RS Lease has a framework deal with Siemens Mobility for 65 Vectrons, signed during the InnoTrans 2024 in Berlin. Of these, 30 locomotives are under firm order. Seven locomotives have already been delivered, including five that have been in service with ZSSK since the summer (locomotives 7193 131–135). The latest two locomotives, 7193 136 and 137, arrived in Bratislava on the evening of 24 November, the day the agreement came into effect.
These are the first A17-type locomotives for ZSSK Cargo, configured for operation in ten countries (SK, CZ, DE, AT, PL, HU, SI, HR, RS, RO). After arrival, both locomotives were moved in a train operated by Lokorail from Bratislava-Petržalka station.
ZSSK Cargo is adjusting its fleet in response to changes in the Žilina traction system, where a switch from 3 kV DC to 25 kV AC is planned in 2026. The change will limit operations of Class 131 locomotives on cross-border routes towards Čadca and the Czech Republic.
The operator is also preparing for the expiry of its first Vectron 383.2 contract in March 2029. That agreement does not include options for extension or purchase, in contrast with the current arrangement with RS Lease.
