14 November 2006
TEHRAN: The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, the Iran Power Plant Projects Management (Mapna) and Germany's Siemens have signed a contract for constructing 150 locomotives for passenger trains.
According to IRIB News, under the contract, the German company is committed to export to Iran some 30 locomotives in the first phase and manufacture another 120 using domestic capacities and expertise over the next six years.
Moussa Zaman, managing director of Mapna Group, said the foreign party has also undertaken to transfer the locomotive manufacturing technologies to the Iranian side over a 10-year period.
The new locomotives reportedly produce lower emissions, save power and steam and run at a speed of above 160 kilometers per hour, he said.
Zaman further said that the project is worth 450 million euros, of which the Iranian side is expected to provide 150 million euros and the German side will meet the rest of the project's financial requirements.
Minister of Industries and Mines Alireza Tahmasbi also told reporters on Tuesday that Iran should sign contracts with foreign companies through Iranian firms.
He said the delegation of such responsibilities to Iranian companies will help upgrade domestic technologies and contribute to transfer of knowledge.
Minister of Roads and Transportation Mohammad Rahmati also said at the ceremony to sign the locomotive contract that the ministry is seeking to develop the country's rail transport infrastructure, adding that once the required funds are provided, railroad projects in western parts of the country as well as in Isfahan, Shiraz, Zahedan, Bam, Qazvin, Rasht, Anzali and Astara will be accelerated.
TEHRAN: The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways, the Iran Power Plant Projects Management (Mapna) and Germany's Siemens have signed a contract for constructing 150 locomotives for passenger trains.
According to IRIB News, under the contract, the German company is committed to export to Iran some 30 locomotives in the first phase and manufacture another 120 using domestic capacities and expertise over the next six years.
Moussa Zaman, managing director of Mapna Group, said the foreign party has also undertaken to transfer the locomotive manufacturing technologies to the Iranian side over a 10-year period.
The new locomotives reportedly produce lower emissions, save power and steam and run at a speed of above 160 kilometers per hour, he said.
Zaman further said that the project is worth 450 million euros, of which the Iranian side is expected to provide 150 million euros and the German side will meet the rest of the project's financial requirements.
Minister of Industries and Mines Alireza Tahmasbi also told reporters on Tuesday that Iran should sign contracts with foreign companies through Iranian firms.
He said the delegation of such responsibilities to Iranian companies will help upgrade domestic technologies and contribute to transfer of knowledge.
Minister of Roads and Transportation Mohammad Rahmati also said at the ceremony to sign the locomotive contract that the ministry is seeking to develop the country's rail transport infrastructure, adding that once the required funds are provided, railroad projects in western parts of the country as well as in Isfahan, Shiraz, Zahedan, Bam, Qazvin, Rasht, Anzali and Astara will be accelerated.
© Iran Daily 2006
