Siemens Mobility has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) to design, install and commission Egypt’s first-ever high-speed rail network. The agreement, signed on January 14, comprises a rail system with a network of 1000 km, with the first being a 460 km high-speed line from Ain Sokhna through the New Administrative Capital (NAC) to El-Alamein, with a branch to Alexandria. The order value of this initial high-speed line is around US$ 3bn.
The agreement was signed together with two Egyptian companies, Orascom Construction S.A.E. and The Arab Contractors. Siemens Mobility will also provide maintenance services for the system.
The civil and construction works contract for the Ain Sokhna – El-Alamein high-speed line was awarded in September 2020 to a consortium of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), Samcrete, and the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation. However, the Ministry of Transport later added Orascom Construction, Arab Contractors and Concord to the consortium in a bid to speed up the project. The rail line will have 15 stations and will be used for both passenger and freight services. Siemens Mobility will supply rolling stock, including 34 passenger trains and 10 locomotives, signalling and electrification for the 250km/h line.
The MoU was signed by Essam Waly, Chairman of NAT, and Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility and was witnessed by Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Transport Minister Kamel Al Wazir, as well as Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser and Siemens Deputy CEO Roland Busch.
“We are delighted that the Ministry of Transport is seeking to put their trust in us to deliver this important project. Our digital leadership and comprehensive turnkey services will bring an integrated and state of the art high-speed rail system, that will provide a technology boost for the country and create local jobs. The system will significantly enhance passenger experience and reduce travel time for millions of Egyptian people,” said Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility.
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