UKRAINE: The development of technology for the automatic changing of freight wagon bogies between Ukraine’s 1 520 mm broad gauge and its EU neighbours’ 1 435 mm standard gauge has been included in a package of agreements to expedite the implementation of Spanish-backed projects in Ukraine. It was signed when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Madrid on March 18.
The project will be implemented by national railway Ukrzaliznytsia in collaboration with the Spanish engineering company Tria Ingeniería and rail infrastructure manager ADIF, funded with a €5·5m grant from the Spanish government.
Spain has significant experience in gauge changing technology, as it uses 1 668 mm gauge on its conventional network and 1 435 mm gauge on high speed lines. Ukraine’s Ministry for Development said the technology would allow wagons to automatically switch between different gauges while moving, leading to faster border crossings, lower costs and higher capacity.
Zelenskyy said ‘these are agreements that will allow Ukraine to increase its logistics capabilities and will become another component of our stronger ties with the European Union and all partners in Europe’.
