Kazakhstan needs to additionally acquire 478 mainline locomotives by 2032

At the beginning of 2024, Kazakhstan faced a shortage of locomotives: of the 1,800 units, 96% are owned by the national company “Kazakhstan Railways” and its subsidiaries, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

In conditions where the economy and industry demand increased transport capacity, this shortage becomes a critical problem.

Analysts predict that to maintain and develop the railway network, Kazakhstan will need to acquire an additional 478 mainline locomotives by 2032.

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Implementing this task will require significant investments, estimated at $1.6 billion.

However, despite the scale of the necessary funding, there are potential solutions to this problem.

Private rail freight carriers in Kazakhstan have expressed their willingness to contribute to solving the locomotive shortage problem.

They announced their intention to purchase about 140 mainline locomotives over several years.

However, to realize these plans, they have set important conditions.

In particular, they require guarantees of long-term (at least five years) access to the railway network and equal rights to use the railway infrastructure.

These requirements are quite justified, as long-term guarantees and equal conditions are necessary to ensure the stability and sustainability of investments.

Without confidence in access to the infrastructure, private companies may face risks that make such large investments unjustifiable.

Interestingly, Kazakhstan expects the delivery of 145 locally produced locomotives in 2024.

This is a significant step forward, but it does not completely solve the problem. It is important to ensure a comprehensive approach, involving both state and private entities in the modernization and expansion of the locomotive fleet.

Thus, solving the locomotive shortage problem in Kazakhstan requires not only significant financial investments but also constructive interaction between the state and the private sector.

Guarantees of access to infrastructure and equal conditions for all market participants could become key success factors in this direction.

If all interested parties can reach an agreement and find a compromise, Kazakhstan will be able not only to solve the current problems of the transport system but also to create a solid foundation for its further development and growth.

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