Georgian Railway plans to purchase 45 new locomotives as part of a modernization program worth $350 million, according to a World Bank project document. The procurement is included in a broader $751 million infrastructure package financed by the World Bank, ADB, and AIIB, with $387 million allocated specifically to railway development.
The locomotive purchase accounts for the largest share of the rail funding and will be co-financed equally by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, each contributing $175 million. The average cost per unit is estimated at about $7.8 million.
The project comes as Georgian Railway operates an aging fleet of 99 locomotives, 78 of which are over 35 years old. Authorities say this limits efficiency and reduces hauling capacity for freight operations.
The modernization is expected to improve performance significantly, including lower maintenance time, higher freight capacity, and reduced transit times on key routes. The program also includes infrastructure upgrades, staff training, and rehabilitation of around 65 kilometers of railway lines.
