Decommissioning of freight cars only due to their service life limits will lead to a shortage of rolling stock and an increase in logistics costs. This was stated by the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (USPP) and called on the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development to review the current rules. USPP handed over a letter with proposals to Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Kuleba, UNIAN reported.
According to the current rules, cars are taken out of service immediately after the end of the service life established by the manufacturer, the USPP noted. This approach, according to the members of the union, does not take into account the real technical condition of the cars and the modern capabilities of the car repair industry. The main criterion for safe operation should not be the age of the car, but the results of technical diagnostics and the presence of residual life.
“International practice demonstrates that in most countries the decision on the further operation of rolling stock is not made solely on the basis of the calendar age of the car. It is its technical suitability and the results of an independent engineering survey that are taken into account,” stated the authors of the appeal.
In their opinion, decommissioning cars based solely on age could lead to a shortage of rolling stock, and this is especially critical for Ukraine during the war and future reconstruction. A sufficient number of freight cars is necessary for the stable operation of the mining and metallurgical complex, the agricultural sector, the chemical industry, the production of building materials, supporting export logistics and transporting strategic cargo for the defense sector.
The document emphasizes that the reduction of the rolling stock will lead to an increase in logistics costs for business and a loss of competitiveness of Ukrainian manufacturers in foreign markets.
USPP proposes to allow the extension of the service life of cars beyond the standard period, subject to successful completion of a comprehensive technical inspection and confirmation of a safe technical condition.
“The business also proposes to grant the right to carry out diagnostic, repair and registration operations not only to the structures of Ukrzaliznytsia, but also to specialized accredited organizations that have the appropriate technical base and certified personnel. For the period of martial law and six months after its completion, such functions are proposed to be left to the specialized institute of Ukrzaliznytsia,” notes the UNIAN publication.
USPP called on the government to create a mechanism for accreditation of enterprises authorized to carry out technical inspection of wagons, and to develop a state program for updating the railway rolling stock.
