KAI to Order New Locomotives from This Company, Capable of Using B50 Biodiesel

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) will gradually replace its long-serving locomotives, such as the CC201 series, with new units. KAI plans to order new locomotive units from PT Industri Kereta Api (Persio), also known as INKA, with specifications capable of utilising Biodiesel with a 50% blend (B50).

The President Director of PT KAI (Persero), Bobby Rasyidin, stated that the need for fleet regeneration is urgent, given that the average age of the CC201 locomotives is approaching half a century. “We have 151 CC201 series locomotives, which average from 1977. Firstly, if provided with B50, they are no longer compatible because biodiesel technology did not exist in 1977,” Bobby said during a Hearing with Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) in the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Wednesday (3/6/2026).

In addition to not being designed for B50 biodiesel usage, these locomotives are also experiencing more frequent operational disruptions. “Secondly, malfunctions are becoming frequent, so we are planning to replace these 151 locomotive units. We also hope their production will take place at INKA,” he added.

KAI aims for the replacement locomotives to possess higher capabilities than the current fleet. One such improvement is the increase in axle load from 15 tonnes to 18 tonnes. “We are also increasing the capacity of these new locomotives. If we look at current locomotives, their axle load is 15 tonnes. If 15 tonnes is multiplied by 4, that is 60 tonnes, but they can only carry a load of 50 tonnes. We are increasing this next-generation version to 18 tonnes. This 18-tonne capacity provides an advantage of approximately 15 tonnes,” he explained.

With these new specifications, the locomotive’s hauling capacity is projected to increase significantly. “So, whereas previously it could only carry 50 tonnes, it can now carry 65 tonnes,” he continued.

However, the increased locomotive capacity also necessitates the strengthening of railway track infrastructure. Consequently, KAI is preparing a programme to upgrade the rail network and supporting structures across various regions in Java. “The consequence is that we must upgrade the railway network or tracks across 275 structures, with an estimated cost of around Rp200 billion, which we will implement from 2026 through 2027. We hope that by 2027, the new locomotives with an 18-tonne axle load will be operational in Java,” Bobby concluded.

Previously, KAI has actively purchased locomotives from United States companies. For instance, the CC206 locomotives are produced by General Electric (GE) Transportation, USA. Additionally, KAI has ordered CC205 locomotives, which feature the EMD GT31AC identity from Progress Rail, USA.