DB International Operations wins contract to operate and maintain Egypt's new High-Speed network
Millions of people will gain access to climate-friendly rail, says Niko Warbanoff, CEO of the DB E.C.O. Group Profits generated will be invested in German rail
The Egyptian government has awarded the contract to operate the country's first high-speed rail network to Deutsche Bahn and the Egyptian company Elsewedy Electric (EE). The three parties signed the agreement today at the UN Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh. The contract, which has an initial term of 15 years, is worth over a billion euros.
DB International Operations (DB IO), a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, will take on the largest rail project in Egypt's history and, with 2,000 route kilometres, the sixth-largest high-speed network in the world. A consortium led by Siemens Mobility will build the infrastructure and supply the passenger trains and freight locomotives.
"We are helping to bring modern mobility to millions of people in Egypt and are ensuring climate-friendly freight transport by rail," said Niko Warbanoff, CEO of the DB E.C.O. Group. "The new rail system will drive Egypt's economic development and help to protect the climate, which will benefit all of us."
The first line of the transport network will connect the metropolitan regions of Alexandria, Cairo and the New Administrative Capital (dubbed the "Suez Canal on rails") as early as 2025. Two additional lines and 60 stations will eventually connect Abu Simbel, Luxor and the Red Sea port of Hurghada to Cairo and the rail network. Once the new network is completed, 90% of Egypt's population will have access to rail. Egypt's population is expected to grow from 105 million to 160 million by 2050, bringing even more congestion to the roads.
The joint venture between DB IO and EE will take over the operation of the infrastructure and rolling stock for high-speed, regional and freight services, as well as maintenance of the stations and depots.
Warbanoff: "We are delighted that by operating the new system we will be making a significant contribution to the modal shift to rail and will be actively protecting the climate and supporting Egypt's economic development. In addition to its political relevance, especially for active climate protection and the promotion of economic development, the project offers potential for Strong Rail in Germany in terms of technology cooperation and securing skilled workers."
The new high-performance rail system will be a central pillar of the sustainable expansion of Egypt's public transport infrastructure. In addition to cutting travel time in half for 30 million people as a result of Line 1 alone, the project will also improve traffic safety and curb air pollution.
Germany's rail system will benefit from the mega project as well. The technology and knowledge gained and the insight from the technology cooperation with Siemens Mobility will be put to use in domestic projects. The profits generated will be reinvested in Germany.
DB IO specializes in operating and maintaining rail transport systems and is responsible for DB's international operator projects outside Europe. Following major contracts in Canada and India, the project in Egypt is the third major international transport project awarded to DB IO in 2022.
