PHOTO
Siemens Mobility to install a 2,000 km state-of-the-art high-speed rail network that will connect all major cities throughout the country with trains that can operate up to 230 km/h. The integrated system will create the 6th largest high-speed rail network in the world, and will provide 90% of Egyptians access to a modern, safe, and affordable transportation system. The fully electrified network will cut carbon emissions by 70% compared to current car or bus transport, further supporting Egypt’s efforts in transforming its mobility to a more sustainable one. Siemens Mobility will deliver its Velaro high-speed trains, Desiro High Capacity regional train sets, and Vectron freight locomotives.
A consortium of Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric and German national railway operator Deutsche Bahn has been awarded a 15-year contract by the Egyptian government to operate and maintain the country's high-speed rail network.
The contract award was announced on the side lines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) underway in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
In August 2022, local newspapers had reported that Ministry of Transport – represented by the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) had signed a preliminary agreement with the consortium manage and operate the three-line, high-speed train network for 15 years, and extendable for another 15 years.
Egypt’s high-speed railway project involves the construction of the sixth largest high-speed rail system in the world comprising three passenger and freight lines with a total length of 2,000 kilometres. The lines include the 660-km Ain-Sokhna-Marsa Matrouh line (under construction) with 22 stations, the 1,100 km Cairo-Abu Simbel line, and the 225-km Luxor-Safaga-Hurghada line. Siemens Mobility has been awarded €8.1 billion construction contract for all three lines.
(Writing by Eman Hamed; Editing by Anoop Menon)
(anoop.menon@lseg.com)
