Signing of the contract for the management and operation of the high-speed electric train network 14/11/2025 | 01:26 PM
The Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry witnessed the signing of a contract for the management and operation of the high-speed electric train network, starting with the management and operation of the first line, "Sokhna - Marsa Matrouh," between the National Authority for Tunnels and a consortium of Deutsche Bahn International Operations and Elsewedy Electric.
Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, witnessed the signing of a 15-year contract for the management and operation of the high-speed electric train network, "Sokhna - Marsa Matrouh," between the National Authority for Tunnels and a consortium of the German company Deutsche Bahn International Operations and Elsewedy Electric. The contract was signed by Dr. Tarek Goweily, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Authority for Tunnels; Mr. Nico Warbanov, CEO of Deutsche Bahn International Operations; and Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Elsewedy Electric.
The Minister emphasized that this signing comes within the framework of the Ministry of Transport's comprehensive plan to cooperate with major international companies in the field of management and operation, to benefit from the expertise of these global companies, particularly Deutsche Bahn International Operations, which is one of the leading companies in this field. A world leader in this field, operating all of Germany's railway lines and a large number of railway lines in several other countries, the company will operate its three lines under a single operator. This will reduce overlap between operators through a new management and operation model based on revenue sharing. It was also agreed that Egyptian workers should comprise at least 95% of the company's total workforce to transfer expertise to all Egyptian employees.
Furthermore, the partnership includes training and development programs for Egyptian engineers and technicians, enabling them to manage and operate the high-speed electric train system in the future. This is a key element of the partnership between the two parties. Additionally, the partnership involves training a number of Egyptian train drivers in Germany annually to operate high-speed electric trains. It is worth noting that the implementation of the high-speed electric train network comes in response to directives from His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to expand the development of green, environmentally friendly electric traction projects. The National Authority for Tunnels is currently implementing three lines of the high-speed electric train network, totaling 2,000 kilometers (passenger and freight), which are faster and more comfortable than conventional trains. It features higher transport capacity and greater passenger safety, contributes to economic development, and serves various sectors such as industry and tourism. It also enhances the infrastructure of the areas it passes through, thus contributing to the creation of new urban communities and serving existing population centers.