Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the country’s national railway company, and the American company Wabtec have signed an agreement for the supply of the new TE33AT series of locomotives, manufactured in Kazakhstan at the Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty plant in Astana. Service agreements covering the maintenance of new and existing locomotives were also signed as part of the cooperation. These agreements are aimed at ensuring the high reliability of KTZ’s fleet and optimizing operating costs.
The total contract value is USD 4.2 billion. The new locomotives are designed to operate in Kazakhstan’s diverse climate conditions. They boast high power, energy efficiency, and reliability, allowing KTZ to increase traction availability while increasing freight turnover.
Fleet renewal will reduce locomotive fleet depreciation from the current 49% to 32% by 2030.
The partnership between KTZ and Wabtec, which began in the early 2000s, has become a key factor in the modernization of Kazakhstan’s railway industry. This collaboration has enabled the rolling stock and operational processes to reach world-class standards, creating an advanced and reliable rail transport infrastructure.
This transaction is the largest in the history of Kazakhstan’s locomotive industry, strengthening the country’s role as a strategic player in the Eurasian transport technology market.
Photo: Kazakhstan Temir Zholy
