Gazpromtrans to purchase UWC tank cars for transportation of molten sulfur

Research and Production Corporation “United Wagon Company” (UWC) and Gazpromtrans (a 100% subsidiary of Gazprom) have signed an agreement for the supply of 120 tank cars for transportation of molten sulfur within the framework of the International Transport and Logistics Forum PRO//Motion.1520, held in Sochi. The parties already signed a contract for delivery of 60 tank cars in August this year. Total value of the 180 tank cars under the two contracts is 1.8 billion rubles.

This is UWC and Gazpromtrans signed the two contracts based on results of open competitive procedures carried out by Gazprom. Under the contracts, the rolling stock will be delivered in two batches, of 60 and 120 units, by the end of the first quarter of 2020. Gazpromtrans already has 112 tank cars manufactured by UWC in service in its rolling stock fleet.

The model 15-6913 tank car runs on 25 t axle load bogies. It was designed in close cooperation with major chemical holdings, which helped to incorporate optimal features: tank volume was increased to 44 m³ and loading capacity was raised to 72 tons. The new model can carry an extra 9 tons of cargo per tank car compared with analogues on 23.5 t axle load bogies (assuming density of 1.8 t/m³). Life-cycle cost is reduced thanks to increase of the car's overhaul mileage up to 1 million km (or 8 years). The innovative tank cars have a service life of 32 years each.

Maxim Mironenko, the CEO of Gazpromtrans, said: “United Wagon Company is our partner, and we have several years’ experience using its products. The tank cars for transportation of sulfur successfully passed functional tests at our branches in Orenburg and Astrakhan before they went into serial production. Our decision to make the purchases was based on that experience. We have signed a contract that enables our company to replace rolling stock at the end of its service life with the new generation tank cars."

Gazpromtrans will use the cars for transportation of liquid sulfur produced at enterprises of Gazprom.