Siberian operator TLS receives batch of Tikhvin-produced tank cars

Research and production corporation “United Wagon Company” (UWC or the Company) (MOEX: UWGN), Russia’s largest manufacturer of freight cars¹, has delivered a supply of tank cars for transporting technical grade sulphuric acid to the Transport Logistics Systems (TLS) railway operator, meeting its delivery deadline. This is the first supply agreement between the companies, and the first acquisition of specialized new generation cars by the Siberian operator.

The 15-9545 tank car, which is equipped with bogies with a 25-t axle load, has a loading capacity of 77 t and a tank volume of 44 m³, allowing each car to accommodate almost 12% more freight compared with standard models. The 18-9855 bogie, which has an increased axle load, provides high operational reliability and reduces operational costs over the car’s life-cycle. The tank car’s service life is 18 years, while the maintenance interval has been increased up to 1 million km (or eight years). Standard models are sent for their first depot repair after running 210,000 km (or two years), with subsequent repairs carried out every 110,000 km (or two years).

The model 15-9545 car has an all-metal welded tank design, and is equipped with a maintenance hatch with a sealed hinged cover. The upper part of the tank is equipped with a pressure/vacuum relief valve to prevent pressure build-ups inside the tank and eliminate vacuum conditions. The valve is protected by a shock-resistant device. The sealing surfaces and design of the discharge pipe, hatch covers, and pressure/vacuum relief valve ensure that the tank is fully sealed and prevent leakages of transported freight.

Oleg Balakirev, CEO at Transport Logistics Systems: “The Siberian region serves as one of Russia’s largest transportation and transit hubs. In order to work effectively in this highly competitive environment, companies require not only efficiency and high professional standards from their teams, but also modern rolling stock. Specialized cars on bogies with a 25 t axle load are a relatively recent arrival on the market. We have heard a great deal of positive feedback about working with 25 tf cars, and see this delivery of UWC tank cars as our first trial run, but hopefully not the final step on the journey towards operating a fleet of new generation cars. The rolling stock we have acquired will allow us to ensure the uninterrupted export of our clients’ products, while reducing transportation costs per tonne of transported product.”

Today, Russia’s fleet of tank cars used to transport technical grade sulphuric acid is estimated at around 3,300 units. The average age of the cars is nine years. Up to 1,000 cars are expected to be decommissioned by 2025, representing 30% of the existing fleet.

¹Data sourced from INFOLine-Analytics: https://infoline.spb.ru/news/?news=162724