Seven new Russian-made locomotives arrive in Cuba

In a report by Cuban television, Rolando Navarro, deputy director general of the Union of Railways, said that the new locomptives will give greater stability to the transportation of cargo, containers, cement, fuel and other products.

The new engines, each of which costs one million euros, have been assigned to the provinces of Artemisa, Havana, Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Camagüey and Granma.

Jose Cabrera, Sinara's deputy representative in Cuba, noted that 13 locomotives of this type will arrive next year, and four more will be received in 2022.

The minister of Transportation described as exemplary this project developed as part of deals resulting from the Cuba-Russia Intergovernmental Commission with Sinara Transport Machines, Sputnik news agency reported.

Rodriguez noted that the Russian firm and Cuban Railways company 'have maintained a very good communication, and the result is that the 53 other locomotives that are part of this contract and are already being operated in Cuba, participate in the main railroad traffic,' he said.

The expert added that as part of the attention provided by Sinara, there is a group of technicians permanently in the country who provide technical assistance and maintenance of the locomotives, making the technical arrangement optimal.

The director confirmed that bilateral collaboration continues, although 'the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have forced us to extend the deadlines and to rearrange the projects, but the will and continuity of those remain in force and we will continue working in that direction in 2021.'

Russian Ambassador to Cuba Andrei Guskov and Trade Representative Alexander Bogatyr were present at the reception, along with other officials from both nations.