CRRC inks deal for UAE railway trains

CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co Ltd, a Shandong province-based subsidiary of China Railway Rolling Stock Corp, is due to supply diesel multiple unit passenger trains to Etihad Rail of United Arab Emirates, according to a contract signed by both firms on Tuesday.

It is expected to be the first time DMU passenger trains manufactured in China will be exported to the UAE, which will boost the passenger service of the mainline railway network in the Middle Eastern country, CRRC Qingdao Sifang said.

The Beijing-based China Railway Rolling Stock Corp is the country's largest rolling stock manufacturer by production volume. Etihad Rail is the developer and operator of the UAE's national rail network.

The supply contract includes three DMU passenger trains with top speed of 200 kilometers per hour, a purchase option of additional 20 trains at maximum and maintenance service for all trains in 15 years.

The trains are expected to be the fastest DMU trains in the world.

According to CRRC Qingdao Sifang, the supplied trains will be manufactured with internationally advanced standards and technology and can run in hot and sandy weather.

The trains, set to be put into use in 2025, will be equipped with first-class seats, second-class seats and family zones, as well as air conditioning and WiFi service, to provide a comfortable and intelligent experience for passengers, the company added.