ZSSK Cargo Secures €5.68 Mn EU Grant to Modernize 23 Locomotives

Bratislava, 9 July (TASR) – Railway freight operator ZSSK Cargo has been awarded a €5.68 million grant from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to modernize 23 electric freight locomotives and the funding will be used to install the European Train Control System (ETCS) - part of the broader European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), the company announced on Wednesday. „The CEF grant is a strong endorsement of our project’s quality and an important step in the ongoing modernization of our company,” said Jaroslav Daniska, the general director of ZSSK Cargo. „Installing the ETCS will not only enhance the safety of our services but also enable smoother cross-border train movement across Europe. This is a specific step toward smart, interoperable, and sustainable freight transport.” The Skoda locomotives of 363 series are a core part of ZSSK Cargo’s fleet and operate along the key corridors of the TEN-T core network. According to the company, the ETCS system will allow seamless operation across European railway networks without the need to switch locomotives at borders, thus increasing efficiency and competitiveness. The new signaling system is also expected to reduce delays, boost rail infrastructure capacity, and improve cross-border connectivity. The project directly supports the EU’s goals for green and digital transport transformation, ZSSK Cargo noted. Deputy Transport Minister Denisa Zilakova highlighted the European Commission’s positive evaluation of Slovakia’s project quality. „This success reflects our systematic preparation, professional approach, and strong cooperation with Brussels. We’re also pleased with the high rating received by another ZSSK Cargo project — the modernization of the Dobra terminal — which has a real chance of success in the next funding round,” she said. mf