For the first time since Georgia’s independence, Georgian Railway is launching a large-scale renewal of its rolling stock, the company announced.

Under the new project, the company plans to procure up to 50 locomotives and 1,500 freight wagons. Procurement procedures have already begun, according to official information released by Georgian Railway.

Alongside the modernization of locomotives and wagons, the permitted length and weight of freight trains has also been increased. Previously, freight trains consisted of an average of 45 wagons, but this has now been expanded to up to 57 wagons per train. 

The company is also introducing new operational standards aimed at significantly improving freight capacity and overall transport efficiency. Regular block trains have been launched on the Poti-Baku and Poti-Tbilisi routes, which has already led to a substantial reduction in transit time. 

In parallel, around 350 wagons have been repaired using internal resources, while additional new wagons are expected to be added to the fleet in the near future. 

““We are witnessing significant changes in freight transport. We have started the renewal of our locomotive and wagon fleet. We are reducing transportation time, which is critically important for cargo owners. We have completed a modernization project that will help increase the country’s transit potential. Georgian Railway is becoming even more attractive for Middle Corridor countries”, said Lasha Abashidze, the director general of Georgian Railways.

As a result of these changes, freight train speeds are expected to increase, transit times to be cut in half, and overall carrying capacity to double.