Laude Smart Intermodal calls on Europe to donate old locomotives to Ukraine

European countries should hand over their old but operational locomotives to Ukraine, the Polish operator Laude Smart Intermodal argues. In turn, Europe could renew its fleet with new locomotives financed with EU aid. Ukraine has lost over 600 locomotives due to Russian attacks, while Polish companies retain several hundred decommissioned diesel units. Since the start of Russia’s invasion, 533 Ukrainian Railways (UZ) locomotives and 75 privately owned ones have been damaged, the company said. Only some can be repaired. A transfer of old, decommissioned European locomotives could go a long way in helping UZ restore its traction capacity, Laude Smart Intermodal believes.

Many freight locomotives in the EU were built in the East, and their axles can be replaced relatively easily to suit Ukraine’s network, the Polish operator says. Besides, Ukraine is not asking for new locomotives, but for machines that can enter service almost immediately, Laude pointed out.

“I am absolutely convinced that European countries should transfer a very large proportion of their old but operational locomotives nearing the end of their service lives to Ukraine”, said President of the Management Board at Laude Smart Intermodal, Marcin Witczak. Europe could then replace them with new equipment supported by EU funds. As an added bonus, this would boost European manufacturers and make EU freight operations more predictable. The efficiency of Europe’s old locomotives is below 50%, Witczak added.

This story was originally published by RailFreight.com. Read the full story at RailFreight.com →