PJSC ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih started installing new diesel engines, Cummins, produced in the USA, at its locomotives. In the result of modernization, the company has already got one locomotive with a new engine. Three more locos with new American engines will be available by the end of the year – the contract has been signed with Komtek company, the official representative of Cummins in Ukraine.
Now most of the locomotives operated in Ukraine were produced in Soviet times, and they require modernization urgently. In addition, industrial companies lack spare parts for locomotives capital repair, as they are mostly produced in Russia. Supplies of Russian spare parts to Ukraine are now limited, and there is a lack of specialized locomotive repair companies in the country.
In 2014 PJSC ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih found a solution cooperating with Nikolayev Locomotive Repair Plant (NTRZ). Though its capacity is not sufficient to cover the demand of Ukrainian companies, including mining and steel sector. Therefore, apart from close collaboration with NTRZ, PJSC ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih is searching for locomotive partners worldwide. In particular, with Vilnius Locomotive Repair Depot and Daugavpils Locomotive Repair Plant, which are to participate in the tenders of PJSC ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih for modernization of locomotives.
Regarding the replacement of diesel engines at locomotives, Kriviy Rih metallurgists prefer Cummins engines made in USA. Currently there are only two trial locomotives operated in Ukraine, which were modernized with installation of American engines. One of them, locomotive TGM-6, is operated at PJSC ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih. This capital repair significantly improved the locomotive reliability. In 2018 the company is to allocate three more locomotives (two ТГМ-4 and one ТГМ-6) for modernization with installation of Cummins engines.
Today’s Cummins diesel engines have the capacity of 760-1200 horsepower, maximum torque is 3747-5951 newton-meters. Total cost of PJSC ArcelorMittal Kriviy Rih for modernization of the three locomotives with installation of new engines will make approximately UAH 50 million.
New imported locomotive costs over $4.5 million. Experts say that modernization of one locomotive, depending on its state, would cost around 50-60% of the cost of a new loco. (AMKR/Ukrainian metal)