UZ has been in negotiations over the terms of the deal since March 2019 according to Mr Vladyslav Kryklii, Ukraine’s minister of infrastructure, who says the new locomotives will help meet UZ’s urgent need for updated traction.

“My task was to accelerate these processes and to ensure the most favourable conditions for Ukraine,” Kryklii says. “Now GE [Wabtec] and our financial partners have presented conditions that we consider acceptable. We are finalising the approval of these conditions after which the project documentation will be prepared.”

UZ signed an agreement worth more than $US 1bn with GE Transportation (now Wabtec) for the supply of 30 complete TE33AC units in February 2018. The deal also included the supply of 195 units as kits as well as the refurbishment of 75 double-unit locomotives and 15 years of maintenance.

The TE33ACs, which emit 40% less emissions than 2ТЕ10 and 2ТE116 type locomotives, are equipped with an asynchronous 12-cylinder Evolution Series engine with electronic fuel injection providing a maximum output of 3.36MW. The unit has a maximum speed of 120km/h, with a 50% increase to the maximum trailing load.

The previous deal included provisions for 10% of assembly to take place in Ukraine with work taking place at Kryukov Railway Car Building Works. Kryklii says negotiations are underway to expand this in the new arrangement.

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