World leader in smart and sustainable transportation Alstom and Ukrainian Railways announced that they have signed a strategic agreement for the delivery of 55 Traxx locomotives to modernize the country’s aging freight fleet. This project is seen as a critical investment for Ukraine’s economic security and logistical sustainability. The financing for the contract will be largely provided by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (300 million euros) and World Bank (190 million dollars).
A Turning Point in Modernization and Financial Security
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, stated that the agreement marks an important milestone in supporting the modernization of railway transportation in Ukraine. Lafarge emphasized that the locomotives will be designed to meet the country’s specific infrastructure needs and will offer high performance, reliability, and energy efficiency.
Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of Ukrainian Railways, said that the critical issue of the old fleet, with an average age of 46, will be addressed through this strategic agreement. Pertsovskyi added that the agreement is an important indicator of international partners’ confidence in the future of Ukraine’s railway industry. Additionally, Alstom, as a signatory of the Ukraine Business Agreement, commits to supporting the country’s economic development and reconstruction.
Technical Features of Custom-Made Locomotives
The ordered locomotives will be designed and manufactured at Alstom’s Belfort facility in France, with deliveries beginning in 2027. The contract includes training for train drivers, maintenance personnel, and the delivery of some spare parts.
The technical details of the locomotives highlight their suitability for Ukraine’s challenging conditions:
Configuration: O-Bo’ type (Twin B type locomotive with four bogies, each axle driven by a separate traction motor).
Voltage: Compatible with dual-voltage (3 kV DC and 25 kV AC) traction systems.
Performance: Power ranging between 7.2 and 9.4 MW, capable of reaching 120 km/h, and able to carry heavier loads than other solutions on the market.
These electric locomotives, designed to provide high operational efficiency, reliability, and energy savings, will also be equipped with Ukraine-made safety systems and radio stations.
Alstom’s Established Presence in Ukraine
Alstom has been operating in Ukraine since 2012. The engineering center in Kharkiv specializes in developing modern railway traffic control systems, and an office was opened in Kiev in 2018. The company’s Ukraine team has supported railway projects not only in Ukraine but also in many markets such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Sweden. The extensive portfolio of Traxx locomotives, with long maintenance intervals and ease of service, offers high availability.
