SŽ-Cargo continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading rail freight operators in the region and a reliable business partner to numerous companies in Slovenia and abroad with the purchase of 30 new multi-system electric locomotives. On Friday, 21 March 2025, the Director of SŽ-Cargo, Mr Ernest Gortan, MSc, and Management Board Member Mr Remigiusz Jan Paszkiewicz signed a contract with Alstom Transportation Germany for the supply of 30 state-of-the-art multi-system electric locomotives. This represents one of the largest modernisations of the Slovenian Railways freight fleet in more than 20 years.
Between April 2027 and September 2028, SŽ-Cargo will take delivery of 30 Traxx 3 MS locomotives manufactured by Alstom. The investment in new electric locomotives is one of SŽ-Cargo’s key strategic objectives. It also forms part of the commitments undertaken under the strategic partnership with the Czech company EP Logistics International, which acquired a 49% ownership stake in SŽ-Cargo in 2022. The main strategic goal of the partnership between Slovenian Railways and EP Logistics International is to establish the largest independent alliance in the field of rail freight transport in Central Europe.
New Locomotives for Greater Competitiveness Across the Region
The new locomotives will be authorised for operation not only in Slovenia but also in Austria, Croatia, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Serbia. They will also be able to access Opčine on the border between Slovenia and Italy, as well as interchange stations between Italy and Austria. Their acquisition marks an important step for SŽ-Cargo in enhancing its competitiveness across the wider region. The new locomotives will enable entry into key regional markets, improve flexibility and service quality in line with customer expectations, and reduce operating costs.
Greater Traction Power, Higher Speed and Lower Energy Consumption
Compared to the existing Series 363 locomotives, the new electric locomotives will be capable of hauling freight trains that are approximately 30% heavier, while their top speed will be one third higher. Alstom’s locomotives will also be more environmentally friendly, consuming around 20% less electricity and operating at significantly lower noise levels. Maintenance costs will be approximately 50% lower than for the current locomotives.
The Largest Fleet Renewal in More Than Two Decades
The purchase of 30 multi-system electric locomotives represents the largest locomotive acquisition in Slovenia since 2004, when Slovenian Railways signed a contract for 32 Series 541 electric locomotives. The contract value amounts to EUR 152,099,988 excluding VAT, or EUR 185,561,985 including VAT. The price per locomotive, excluding VAT, is EUR 4,996,233. In addition to the 30 locomotives, the supplier will also deliver spare parts worth EUR 2,212,998 (excluding VAT) and provide training for drivers and maintenance staff. Maintenance will be carried out in Slovenia.
In recent years, SŽ-Cargo has already partially modernised its fleet with the purchase of 100 new container wagons for ore transport, four new diesel shunting locomotives (primarily for operations at the Koper station), and the complete remotorisation of 12 older diesel shunting locomotives.
Further Investments in Fleet Modernisation
In the coming years, SŽ-Cargo plans to fully modernise an additional 12 diesel locomotives and procure 750 new freight wagons of various series. By 2030, the company will invest approximately EUR 300 million in rolling stock renewal.
In addition to major investments, the company also continuously upgrades its existing rolling stock in line with the highest applicable technical and environmental standards. Freight wagons are being equipped with silent composite brake blocks, reducing noise and the risk of wildfires. Locomotives are fitted with the latest safety systems compliant with the European ERTMS regulation, and diesel locomotives are equipped with pre-heating devices that lower noise levels and fuel consumption. The company also plans to upgrade freight wagons with automatic coupling systems.
With the purchase of 30 new electric locomotives and the implementation of other planned rolling stock investments, SŽ-Cargo will further consolidate its position as one of the leading rail freight operators in the region and a reliable business partner to numerous companies in Slovenia and abroad. The investment will also contribute significantly to reducing environmental emissions. It is worth noting that since last year, Slovenian Railways has been using 100% renewable electricity to power all passenger and freight electric trains, further reducing the carbon footprint of rail transport in Slovenia.
