By KYIV. Jan 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – In 2023, Ukrzaliznytsia will purchase rails from the European manufacturer Saarstahl Rail at a price of EUR 1,730 per tonne, while the prices of other manufacturers are at the level of EUR 1,900 per tonne, the press service of Ukrzaliznytsia reported on Friday after the news that a year ago the purchase price of Ukrainian rails was much lower.
"Today, the cost of one tonne, formed according to the formula, is EUR 1,730. Price monitoring in the European market showed prices of other producers at the level of EUR 1,900 per tonne, including producers from the Czech Republic and Arcelor Mittal subject to prepayment," the press service said on Friday.
According to the press release, the rise in prices for energy and raw materials increased the cost of these products last year.
Ukrzaliznytsia separately said that the supply contract will be financed by a preferential loan from the French Ministry of Economy and Finance: for a period of 35 years with an interest rate of 0.0161% per annum with a grace period of 14 years until the start of repayment of the principal debt.
Based on these conditions, Ukrzaliznytsia calculated that at a euro zone inflation rate of 3%, the present value of the purchased rail after the loan is repaid will be EUR 930 per tonne.
As previously reported by Nashi Groshi, before the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrzaliznytsia bought rails from Metinvest, which were produced at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, which is now captured and destroyed by the Russian army. In 2021, their cost was UAH 33,780 per tonne, or almost EUR 1,100 per tonne, in 2019 – UAH 26,550 per tonne, or EUR 1,000 per tonne, in 2018 – UAH 29,001 per tonne, or EUR938 per tonne.
