Kazakhstan to buy 456 locomotives, over 7,000 freight wagons by 2029Kazakhstan plans to purchase 456 domestically produced locomotives over the next four years, Transport Minister Nurlan Saurambayev announced."Under the rail fleet renewal program, 456 locomotives will be acquired by 2029. The suppliers include Kazakhstan’s Electrovoz Kurastyru Zauyty, Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty, and China’s CRRC," Saurambayev said during a government meeting in Astana on Tuesday.Kazakhstan’s current locomotive fleet numbers more than 1,900 units, he said.The minister added that more than 300 operators manage 142,000 freight wagons, which he said is sufficient to meet the country’s current freight transport needs."By 2029, operators plan to purchase over 7,000 new freight wagons. This will help sustain and expand the growing potential of freight transportation," Saurambayev said.The railway sector accounts for 13% of Kazakhstan’s machine-building industry. In 2024, the country produced 125 locomotives and over 2,700 wagons worth a combined 599.3 billion tenge. Railcars are produced at five manufacturing plants located in Astana, Petropavlovsk, Ekibastuz and Atyrau.In May 2025, Kazakhstan’s railway operator announced that China’s CRRC Ziyang would deliver 62 SKD6s shunting locomotives in 2025, with an additional 38 in 2026.Separately, KTZ-Freight Transportation LLP plans to acquire 205 six-axle KZ6A electric locomotives from Electrovoz Kurastyru Zauyty LLP between 2029 and 2036. These will replace outdated VL-80 locomotives manufactured in the 1980s. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX