Ukrainian Railways (UZ) is getting 55 new dual-voltage electric locomotives from Alstom. The deal is made possible by financial support from the World Bank and the EBRD. It is due time for UZ to renew its locomotive fleet, which has an average age of 46 years.
With such an outdated locomotive fleet, which also has a wear and tear rate of 96%, UZ runs a risk of not having enough traction capacity to transport all freight. That would reduce the export possibilities of Ukraine, and UZ could lose up to 10% of freight revenues each year.
In other words, the company desperately needs new locomotives. It has found those in France, where a deal on the delivery of 55 new electric vehicles was signed in the presence of both French President Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky.
UZ points out that the price of Alstom’s high-power dual-system electric locomotives per axle and per kW of power is “competitive and advantageous”. The total value of the deal is 473 million euros, but the financial support from the World Bank and EBRD reduces the cost for the rail operator by 37%.
Operational improvements
The Alstom locomotives should help reduce operating costs by more than 30% and replace 80 old locomotives. UZ is expecting the first delivery in Q1 2027. The entire process should be completed by 2029.
“The new dual-system electric locomotives will be able to cover the distance from the main regions of cargo origin to the ports, while most routes currently have to change traction, which significantly delays traffic”, explains UZ.
Alstom’s locomotives deliver significant performance and maintenance improvements over the current UZ fleet. With a power output of 9,000 kW and a starting traction force of 800 kN, they can reach speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. Moreover, 26% greater power enables them to pull trains that are 30% heavier than those pulled by existing electric locomotives.
Another important advantage is the drastically reduced maintenance schedule: the new locomotives require servicing only once every 37 days, compared to the current models’ need for maintenance every three days. That will likely double the operational readiness rate of the older fleet, reaching a projected 95%.
Opportunities for Ukrainian companies
Whereas the locomotives will be manufactured in France, the deal also creates opportunities for Ukrainian manufacturers, says UZ. “A preliminary agreement has been reached with Alstom on the possibilities of including Ukrainian manufacturers of various components in the supply during the service cycle, including safety systems, communication equipment, brake pads, wheelsets, cable and wire products, cooling systems, etc. An expanded meeting of the teams of Alstom, UZ and a wide range of domestic manufacturers of railway products is planned for the start of cooperation in the first quarter of 2026.”