In July 2024, Ukrainian OKKO Group took delivery of the first 20 new tank cars from TAS-Poltavvagon, part of a contract for a total of 100 tank cars. The complete batch is expected to be delivered by early 2025.
OKKO currently operates 45 tank cars, some of which were previously used for bitumen but are now being repurposed for diesel fuel. In addition to its own fleet, the company leases over 400 tank cars. With the addition of 100 new units, OKKO will become a leading private operator of tank cars for petroleum products in Ukraine, second only to Ukrzaliznytsia.
These tank cars, model 15-1755, have a carrying capacity of 68 tons and a service life of 32 years. OKKO selected TAS-Poltavvagon as the manufacturer after a tender involving three Ukrainian companies. Although foreign manufacturers were considered, certification requirements in Ukraine would have delayed the process. The production of the first batch took six months from the contract signing.
This collaboration is not the first between OKKO and TAS-Poltavvagon, as the latter has previously supplied fuel storage tanks to OKKO’s filling stations. The new contract is viewed as a step towards securing Ukraine's fuel security and reinforcing TAS-Poltavvagon's position in the market despite ongoing challenges such as hostile shelling, power outages, and staff shortages.
