French group supplies 55 electric locomotives to Ukraine, replacing 80 older units

Ukraine's state-run railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) and French conglomerate Alstom have reached an agreement under which 55 modern freight locomotives worth €475 million will be supplied to Ukraine.

Source: Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi

Details: The relevant documents were signed on 17 November in the presence of the Ukrainian and French presidents.

Quote: "This agreement with Alstom for 55 locomotives, financed by international partners, will allow Ukrzaliznytsia to modernise a severely outdated fleet and sustain freight volumes.

This is an important step towards addressing the critical problem of an ageing locomotive fleet, whose average age reaches 46 years."

More details: The contract follows a World Bank-run international tender that drew bids from more than ten rolling-stock manufacturers across Europe and Asia

The first new electric locomotive is due to arrive in the first quarter of 2027, with deliveries running through 2027-2029.

Pertsovskyi said that the 55 new electric locomotives will be able to replace about 80 ageing units currently in service and reduce operating costs by more than 30%.

The new freight locomotives, based on Alstom's Traxx Hauler platform, will be the first European-built dual-voltage locomotives in Ukraine, adapted to two different traction systems.

Background: Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine plans to purchase 20 high-speed electric trains of South Korean manufacture.

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