Hyundai Rotem Enters Singapore Electric Train Market for the First Time... Signs Supply Contract Worth Approximately 358 Billion KRW

Contract Signed for Delivery of 186 Electric Train Cars for Jurong Region Line in Singapore

Perspective view of the Singapore Jurong Region Line train to be manufactured by Hyundai Rotem

[Photo by Hyundai Rotem]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Hyundai Rotem has succeeded in entering the Singapore market by securing a contract worth 358 billion KRW for electric train delivery.

Hyundai Rotem announced on the 7th that it signed a contract worth 358.6 billion KRW on the 6th of this month (local time) with the Land Transport Authority of Singapore to supply 186 electric train cars for the Jurong Region Line.

The event held at the Land Transport Authority of Singapore was attended by key officials including Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore’s Minister for Transport, Ngien Hoon Ping, CEO of the Land Transport Authority, and Ahn Young-jip, Ambassador to Singapore.

Jurong is an industrial city located in the southwest of Singapore. Recently, with the Singapore government’s large-scale commercial district development initiative and the anticipated construction of a stop for the Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail project, Jurong is considered a promising area. The electric trains ordered by Hyundai Rotem will be deployed on the new Jurong Region Line, scheduled to open in 2026. All 186 train cars will be manufactured at the Changwon plant, with deliveries planned sequentially from 2024 to 2027, Hyundai Rotem stated.

The electric trains ordered by Hyundai Rotem consist of unmanned trains formed by three cars per set, with a maximum operating speed of 70 km/h. Hyundai Rotem has introduced a Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) system that monitors the status of key vehicle components in real time to prevent failures and optimize maintenance cycles, as well as an Automatic Track Inspection (ATI) system that automatically checks track conditions using cameras and sensors installed under the vehicle. Passenger safety features are also included. A separate battery system is installed to allow the train to travel a certain distance on its own power if power supply from the overhead line is unavailable. Additionally, emergency doors are installed at the front of the train in addition to the regular doors to enable passenger evacuation in emergencies.

Hyundai Rotem previously secured orders for 20 freight cars in Singapore in 1980, performed mid-life refurbishment on 396 SMRT electric train cars in 2004, and carried out passenger handrail modifications on 924 LTA electric train cars in 2013, among other freight car and maintenance projects. However, this is the first time Hyundai Rotem has won an electric train contract. Initially, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore preferred global companies from Canada, France, and Japan with high technical standards and management capabilities when conducting the bidding process. Therefore, Hyundai Rotem was expected to face difficulties in securing the contract. However, Hyundai Rotem explained that it succeeded by presenting optimal solutions for the requirements set by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore and actively utilizing its technological capabilities and project management skills.

A Hyundai Rotem official said, “After thorough preparation, we achieved the result of entering the Singapore electric train market by surpassing global advanced railway companies. We will deliver high-quality unmanned trains that satisfy customers by applying the technology and know-how accumulated from securing over 2,000 unmanned train cars.”

Meanwhile, Hyundai Rotem has secured global competitiveness based on its abundant experience in unmanned train projects. Including additional orders, it has won contracts for more than 2,000 unmanned train cars domestically and internationally, starting with 64 cars for Vancouver, Canada in 2005, 174 cars for S?o Paulo, Brazil in 2007, 138 cars for the Shinbundang Line in 2007, 333 cars for the Hong Kong SCL in 2012, 232 cars for Kuala Lumpur Line 2 in Malaysia in 2016, and 80 cars for the Taoyuan Green Line light rail in Taiwan in 2018.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.