Azerbaijan boosts rail fleet with Chinese partnership PHOTO

Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) has signed an agreement with China's CRRC Ziyang Co., Ltd. to purchase four new mainline passenger locomotives, while also advancing plans to expand its freight locomotive fleet, as part of a meeting between an ADY delegation and the Chinese company.

During a visit to China, ADY Chairman Rovshan Rustamov met with CRRC Ziyang President Chen Zhisi to discuss cooperation in modernising Azerbaijan’s locomotive fleet, Caliber.Az reports, citing the ADY.

The talks focused on upgrading rolling stock for freight and passenger transportation, enhancing technical capabilities, ensuring safe and flexible operations amid growing cargo volumes along international transport corridors, and expanding cooperation between the two companies.

The sides noted that Azerbaijan's growing role in international transport and logistics, as well as the strategic importance of the North-South and East-West transport corridors passing through the country, requires continued development of railway infrastructure, including the locomotive fleet.

Under a contract signed last year, seven new freight locomotives are expected to be delivered to Azerbaijan in September. The parties also held negotiations on the procurement of an additional 14 locomotives in the next phase.

The ADY delegation reviewed the final production stage of the seven freight locomotives and discussed a number of technical issues. The AC50 mainline locomotives, equipped with advanced technologies, will be used for freight transport along international corridors crossing Azerbaijan.

During the visit, ADY and CRRC Ziyang also signed an agreement for the purchase of four new mainline passenger locomotives. Delivery is expected in 2027.

According to ADY, the new passenger locomotives will further improve service quality and passenger satisfaction, particularly on intercity routes.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov