Hyundai Rotem Wins Order for Tanzania Electric Trains and Locomotives Worth 335.4 Billion KRW

Electric locomotive manufactured by Hyundai Rotem (Photo by Hyundai Rotem)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Hyundai Rotem announced on the 6th that it has entered the Tanzanian railway market.

Hyundai Rotem stated that it won the bid for a project worth approximately 335.4 billion KRW to supply 80 electric multiple units (EMUs) and 17 electric locomotives ordered by the Tanzania Railways Corporation. The EMUs are valued at 215.7 billion KRW, and the electric locomotives at 119.7 billion KRW, with delivery scheduled by 2024.

The EMUs and electric locomotives Hyundai Rotem secured this time are the first eco-friendly electric trains to operate in Tanzania, which has so far operated diesel trains. All trains are designed to run at a maximum speed of 160 km/h, and the EMUs consist of 8 cars per set, capable of carrying approximately 590 passengers. Additionally, noise and vibration of the vehicles have been minimized, and facilities such as wheelchair seats and nursing rooms have been installed.

The trains to be supplied by Hyundai Rotem will be initially deployed on the 546 km route connecting Dar es Salaam and Makutupora, which are the first and second phases of the standard gauge railway project underway in Tanzania. The Tanzania standard gauge railway project is a railway infrastructure project in which the Tanzanian government is investing about 7 billion USD to construct a total of 1,219 km of track in five phases, with an international standard gauge track width of 1,435 mm.

Hyundai Rotem expressed expectations that this delivery will provide transportation convenience to residents in Tanzania, where railway transportation has been poor. Since many tracks in Tanzania are narrower than the standard gauge, train operation speeds were slow at 30-40 km/h, but with the construction of the standard gauge line, train operation speeds of up to 160 km/h will be possible, significantly increasing passenger and freight transportation, Hyundai Rotem forecasted.

A Hyundai Rotem official said, "The performance of products optimized for the African market including Egypt, Tunisia, and Nigeria, stable delivery records, and excellent project management capabilities were positive factors in winning this bid," adding, "Based on this order, we plan to actively enter the Tanzanian railway market." He also added that since the standard gauge railway project will proceed in five phases, additional orders are expected.

Earlier, in April, Hyundai Rotem signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) related to the supply of about 840 EMUs with the Egyptian Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Planning, and local vehicle manufacturer (NERIC), and has been actively conducting sales activities in the African market, including contracting for the modernization of Egypt’s railway signaling system.

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