The Robinson Patman team led by Managing Partner Dmytro Vidsota has advised French Saarstahl Rail (formerly known as British Steel France Rail) and JSC "Ukrainian railways" on the contract for supply of rails to Ukraine worth up to 37,6 mln euros. By signing of this contract, Saarstahl has committed to producing and delivering 20 000 tons of rails to JSC "Ukrainian railways", with the first supplies being expected in early 2023.
New rails will help to reconstruct Ukrainian railway infrastructure that has been significantly damaged because of the war, whilst the biggest producer of steel rails in Ukraine AzovStal is settled in Mariupol and was almost completely destroyed.
Robinson Patman lawyers have supported Saarstahl and JSC "Ukrainian railways" on all stages of the project, providing comprehensive legal advice in connection with the certification in Ukraine of rails produced by Saarstahl, regulatory compliance issues, drafting and negotiating supply agreement, and also advising on financing aspects of the deal.
The supply contract will be financed by the Government of the French Republic under the 37,6 mln euros soft loan for Ukraine. Robinson Patman has advised the Ukrainian Government, represented by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Infrastructure, on the financial and legal aspects of the transaction. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal signed the Framework Agreement to finance the rails supply with the French minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Bruno Le Maire on December 13 in Paris.
The Robinson Patman team was led by Managing Partner Dmytro Vidsota, with the support from Regulatory and Compliance Partner Nadiia Dmytrenko, senior associate Vladislav Skyrda and associates Anna Kononenko and Sofia Dziubenko.
Dmytro Vidsota comments: "We're delighted to have helped Ukrainian railways in its efforts to restore Ukraine’s railway infrastructure. It is always a pleasure to work on such high profile matters, especially when we are entrusted to advise Ukrainian railways and Saarstahl in such turbulent times. Saarstahl is one of the leading European rails manufacturers, and this contract is the important milestone as the rails supply will help with the reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure".
Saarstahl Rail (France) plant has specialized in the manufacture of rails for various railway sectors for over 125 years, with the annual production capability of approx. 300,000 tons per year. Saarstahl Rail is a subsidiary of the Germany-based metallurgical Saarstahl Group.
