Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov.28
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
Uzbekiston Temir Yollari State Joint-Stock Railway Company (Uzbekistan Railways SJSRC) has signed a contract worth $45 million with a consortium of Chinese CNTIC (China National Technical Imp & Ex Corporation) and CNR DLRC (CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. Ltd) to supply 10 electric freight locomotives, the leadership of SJSRC told Trend Nov.27.
The locomotives will be supplied until the end of 2015. The contract will be financed by a loan from the Chinese Eximbank (Export-Import Bank of China), according to the Uzbekistan Railways.
In particular, the locomotives will be used on the new line, connecting the center of Uzbekistan and the Fergana Valley (eastern part of the country).
As reported earlier, Uzbekistan Railways JSC implemented the purchase of electric locomotives in China in the amount of $158.7 million during the last 12 years.
In 2002-2004, China's CSR Zhuzhou electric locomotive Co provided Uzbekistan Railways SJSRC with 12 electric locomotives and spare parts for them worth $40 million. The financing of the contract is fully implemented by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
In 2008-2010, CSR Zhuzhou Electric delivered 15 passenger locomotives worth $74.3 million to Uzbekistan. The contract was funded by means of a loan from the Chinese Eximbank in the amount of $70.1 million and the funds of Uzbekistan Railways SJSRC.
In December 2011, Uzbek SJSRC signed a contract with the consortium consisting of Chinese CNTIC (China National Technical Imp & Ex Corporation) and CNR DLRC (CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. Ltd) on the supply of 11 electric locomotives worth $44.39 million. The contract financed at the expense of Chinese Exim Bank`s loan in the amount of $42.17 million and Uzbekistan Railways SJSRC`s own funds.
The delivery of electric locomotives has been completed at the end of 2013.
Some 930 kilometers of Uzbekistan's railways with total length of 4,200 kilometers has been electrified, and over 600 kilometers of them has been electrified in last seven years. In total, it is planned to electrify nearly 2,000 kilometers of railways in the republic.
About 60 percent of cargo turnover in the country and almost 80 percent of total export and import cargo transportation fell to Uzbekistan's railways.
Uzbekistan Railways SJSRC was founded in 1994 after the disaffiliation from the Central Asian Railway. The company is 100 percent owned by the state.