Globaltrans to raise $449 mln in London IPO -Ifax

MOSCOW, April 30 (Reuters) - Russia's top privately owned freight rail operator, Globaltrans Investment, will raise $449 million in its London initial public offering (IPO), in the middle of its range, Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday.

It will offer Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) at $13.25 each, the agency said, quoting a banking source, valuing the company at $1.55 billion. Globaltrans, which has oil majors Lukoil (LKOH.MM: Quote, Profile, Research) and Rosneft (ROSN.MM: Quote, Profile, Research) as its clients, as well as steel firm Severstal (CHMF.MM: Quote, Profile, Research), previously said it would offer 33.92 million shares at between $11.50 and $15.00 per GDR, and hoped to raise $509 million in the IPO.

Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) and Morgan Stanley (MS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) are arranging the share sale.

Globaltrans is hoping to attract investors drawn by a robust Russian economy, which expanded 8.1 percent in 2007. President Vladimir Putin has pledged $1 trillion in investment in the modernisation of the country's industry and infrastructure. (Reporting by Amie Ferris-Rotman; Editing by Erica Billingham)