National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has awarded a contract to United Wagon Company (UWC) to supply 100 freight cars. Delivery of the 1,067 mm gauge railcars is scheduled within 12 months of NRZ, concluding an export loan with the help of the Russian supplier. The United Wagon Company will deliver 100 gondola wagons with solid bottoms. These railcars will be used to transport cross-border shipments of coals, chrome ore and grains in large bags. UWC said that its research and development centre will design the solid bottom gondola cars in compliance with international standards for subequatorial and tropical climate zones. These freight cars will have a 54t loading capacity, a body volume of 65m³ and will also feature 18.6t axle load bogies. UWC will also provide spare parts, special tools and testing equipment, as well as after-sales training, such as maintenance training. UWC won this deal via an international tender process that was organised by aluminium producer UC RUSAL.