Ukrainian Railways to buy up to 80 locomotives with EBRD loan, World Bank grant

MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Railways plans to acquire up to 80 modern electric locomotives with a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and a grant provided under the World Bank Repairing Essential Logistics Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (RELINC) Project.

Information about this tender has been posted on the EBRD portal, Ukrainian media reported, citing the company's press service. Applications to participate in the tender will be accepted until July 22.

"Participants, under the terms of the tender, must submit two versions of a tender offer - for the delivery of 30 or 80 locomotives depending on the availability of financing," Ukrainian Railways said in a statement.

"The tender requirements provide that the winner, in addition to supplying the locomotives, must create conditions in Ukraine for servicing and warranty repair of the new traction rolling stock," the company said.

The overall cost of the project is 400 million euros, 300 million euros of which will be provided by the EBRD under the terms of a guaranteed sovereign loan. The project will also be supported by an investment grant of $190 million under the World Bank project.

This will make it possible to maximize the localization of locomotive servicing and repair capacity in Ukraine, Ukrainian Railways said.