United Wagon Company and Russian copper smelting company Karabashmed signed a contract for the supply of tank cars on a bogie with increased axle load for sulfuric acid transport. Before the end of this year, UWC will deliver 50 cars which will be produced at TikhvinChemMash.
The new cars, with a capacity of 77 tonnes with a volume of 44 m3, allow for the transport of up to 10% more cargo. As a result, the required fleet size is reduced as 89 UWC tank cars can transport as much cargo as 100 standard models.
The construction design of the car uses a tank with “broken” axis, ensuring maximum draining. And thanks to the bogie with an increased axel load of 25 tf, the cost of the life cycle of the car is more than three times lower, with reduced uncoupling for repairs and extended overhaul periods.
The demand for sulfuric acid tanks will be high for the next few years, due to annual increase in the freight base, as well as the replacement of Russia’s outdated fleet. In 2017, the growth rate of sulfuric acid production was 4.1% of the natural volume of production, and in 2016, 13.1%. In addition, PhosAgro, Acron, Shchekinoazot and other manufacturers have announced projects to increase their production capacity. Also, by the end of the year up to 10% of the current tank fleet may be removed from service, and decommissioning in the next five years may reach more than 15%.
Share on:
