Ukrainian metallurgists want to continue the operation of expired wagons
Association of Miners, Metallurgists and Ferroalloys of Ukraine appealed to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, Minister of Economic Development, trade and agriculture of Ukraine, acting Chairman of the State Regulatory Service of Ukraine, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" on the issue of limiting the service life of freight cars.
The initiatives of the car-building companies to limit the service life of cars in excess of the standard service life and the prohibition of the use of foreign cars in domestic transportation in the temporary import regime have extremely negative consequences for the entire economy of Ukraine, the association noted.
"A straightforward ban on the continuation of the excess of the standard period of use of cars will lead to the write-off of 89 thousand units of cars of all types, create a huge deficit in the rolling stock market, lead to a significant reduction in industrial production, loss of jobs and contributions to the state budget," in the document.
Associations of miners, metallurgists and ferroalloys workers insist on the need to pursue a reasonable and balanced policy aimed at improving the business environment while balancing the interests of market participants, as well as the economic and national security of Ukraine.
Associations proposed to establish restrictions on the extension of the service life only for multi-purpose gondola cars, grain carriers and tanks (3/4 of the freight car fleet) at the level of 1.5 standard service life and not to impose restrictions on specialized cars (gondola cars for transporting pellets, sinter and coke, the so-called "pellet carriers" and "coke carriers"), and in the case of introducing such restrictions for pellets /coke carriers, provide for an extension of their service life up to 3 times (45 years).
Previously it was reported that the car builders demanded that the government of Ukraine immediately introduce a complete ban on the import of freight cars with expired and /or extended service life of all jurisdictions into the country, as well as strengthen technical requirements and responsibility for the operation of extended cars. In addition, the plant's requirements to the state leadership prohibit the use of foreign cars in domestic traffic (temporary import regime).