KYIV— Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzalianytsia, UZ) jointly with the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine recently signed a memorandum of intent with Wabtec (GE Transportation) [Pittsburg, PA, www.Wabteccorp.com] on the acquisition of 40 additional General Electric locomotives. Memorandum provides the conclusion of supply contracts for the delivery of 40 new General Electric TE33AC locomotives in 2020 and the provision of maintenance services for 70 such locomotives.

“We plan to acquire 40 General Electric locomotives in 2020. We have an urgent need to update the rolling stock of Ukrzaliznytsia and we must do this on favorable and acceptable terms for Ukraine. The fair value of locomotives and the terms of the financing of the supply contract are key issues that determine future cooperation with Wabtec," according to Vladyslav Kryklii, Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure.

"Since March 2019, Ukrzaliznytsia has been in the negotiation process for service maintenance of locomotives supplied earlier and its cost. My task was to accelerate these processes and to ensure the most favorable conditions for Ukraine. Now, General Electric, together with our financial partners, has presented us with conditions that we consider acceptable.

"We are finalizing the approval of these conditions, after which the project documentation will be prepared. Another important point is the expansion of localization of production in Ukraine. We are also negotiating about this,” Minister Vladyslav Kryklii stated.

“We agreed on the next phase of the acquisition of 40 GE locomotives. We plan that we will receive the first of them in 2020,” Chairman of the Board of Ukrainian Railways, JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), Yevhen Kravtsov wrote recently on his Facebook page. According to Kravtsov, the new rolling stock will significantly improve the operation of the diesel locomotive traction and the overall operations of the company.

Chairman of the Board Kravtsov said that “the first batch of 30 GE locomotives is already operating successfully and is demonstrating its effectiveness, performing about 20% of all freight work. According to our estimates, in 2019, only thanks to GE locomotives, we saved about UAH 100 million on fuel”. 

NOTE: On February 23, 2018, the following agreements were signed: a diesel locomotive supply agreement between JSC Ukreximbank and GE; and a financial leasing agreement between Ukrainian Railways (JSC Ukrzaliznytsia, UZ) and JSC Ukreximbank for 30 diesel locomotives manufactured by GE. At the first stage of strategic cooperation, General Electric localized railway traction in Ukraine at the level about 10%. PJSC “Kryukov Railway Car Building Works” organized and provided the process of retrofitting diesel locomotives with equipment in accordance with the technologies and design documentation of the manufacturer.

ABOUT WABTEC ---

Wabtec, headquartered in Pittsburg, PA, www.Wabteccorp.com, is a diversified, global leader in equipment, components, services, software and systems for the transportation industry. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation and Faiveley Transport, the company is paving the way in safety, efficiency, reliability and productivity. As an integrated solutions provider, Wabtec accelerates lifecycle solutions for the transportation industry by improving interoperability, efficiency and competitiveness for customers. With more than 23,000 locomotives in our global installed base, and components on many of the locomotives, freight cars and transit cars around the world, we are the movers and shakers of tomorrow’s logistics and transit solutions.

Their digital solutions, combined with Positive Train Control (PTC) and electronics capabilities, unlock significant productivity improvements — saving billions of dollars for rail customers and operators, all while creating pathways to advanced automated operations. These digital technology solutions improve safety and efficiency for the transportation industry. Wabtec is the rail industry’s one-stop shop. Wabtec and GE Transportation merged in February 2019. Wabtec has over 27,000 employees and operates in 50 countries.

USUBC NOTE: Wabtec is a member of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.USUBC.org., Wash, D.C.