On December 30, 2019 the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) and Wabtec (GE Transportation) signed a memorandum, which provided for conclusion of contracts for the delivery of 40 General Electric TE33AC locomotives in 2020 and the provision of maintenance service for 70 such locomotives.
“We plan to purchase 40 General Electric locomotives in 2020. We have an urgent task to upgrade the rolling stock of Ukrzaliznytsia and we must do this on favorable and acceptable terms for Ukraine,” said Infrastructure Minister Vladyslav Kryklii.
He added that the fair value of locomotives and the terms of financing of delivery contract were key issues that determine further cooperation with Wabtec.
“Since March 2019 Ukrzaliznytsia has been in the negotiation process on maintenance service for the previously delivered locomotives and its cost. My task was to accelerate these processes, while ensuring the most favorable conditions for Ukraine. General Electric, together with our financial partners, laid down conditions that we consider to be acceptable. We are finalizing the approval of these terms and conditions, and then the preparation of project documentation will start. Another important point is the expansion of Ukraine’s local manufacturing content. We are also in talks on this issue,” the Infrastructure Minister said. (Ukrinform/Business World Magazine)
