OREANDA-NEWS. March 21, 2007. In 2007 EuroChem has continued to implement the project for creation of its own specialized rolling stock fleet as a part of the Company's Logistics Development Strategy. EuroChem management have approved two investment projects to purchase 200 mineral hoppers (special-purpose cars for mineral fertilizers bulk carriage) and 25 tank cars for wet-process phosphoric acid, reported the press-centre of  EuroChem Mineral and Chemical Company.

In total, in 2007 the Company plans to purchase over 600 mineral hoppers, 250 various-purpose tank cars, three shunting locomotives – one per subsidiary (EuroChem – Belorechenskie Minudobrenia, Novomoskovsk Joint-Stock Company Azot, and Lifosa AB.

In addition to new rolling stock, EuroChem logistics strategy involves upgrade of existing and construction of new railway tracks and stations to optimize corporate expenses, improve quality and reduce car loading time.

At two EuroChem sites in Belorechensk and Novomoskovsk the Company plans to construct new car freight stations. In addition, EuroChem – Belorechenskie Minudobrenia plans a full-scale upgrade of three tracks with replacement of five track switches and overhead system repair through to Russian Railways connecting station. Novomoskovsk Joint-Stock Company Azot has been carrying out a full-scale upgrade of Agregatnaya station to ensure direct access to Russian Railways network for bulk transport routing.

Another large project planned for 2007 is the construction of own car-maintenance depot capable to repair up to 5,000 units per year at Nevinnomyssky Azot.

In 2006 the Company purchased 700 mineral hoppers, 43 open wagons, 253 tank-cars for various purposes and one shunting locomotive.
Currently, the enterprises controlled by EuroChem own over 5,000 units of specialized various-purpose rolling stock. According to the Logistics Development Strategy, by 2015 own car fleet of operated enterprises is planned to reach 8,600 units to fully meet Company's demand for specialized rolling stock. Taking into account the cars with service life expired which should be replaced, the total number of purchased units will be nearly 4,900. The main part of new cars is expected to have been purchased by 2010.

Further development of the transport component will permit the Company to keep transport independence and ensure cargo safety, quality and timely delivery to the customers.