[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] The initial batch of electric trains for Cairo, Egypt, being manufactured by Hyundai Rotem, has been shipped.
Hyundai Rotem announced on the 26th that it has shipped the first 8 cars out of the 256 electric train cars for Cairo Line 3 to Cairo, Egypt.
The Cairo electric trains supplied by Hyundai Rotem were ordered in 2017 from the Tunnel Authority, an agency under the Egyptian Ministry of Transportation. At that time, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Export-Import Bank of Korea provided a financial package composed of the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and export financing, and such government-level active support was instrumental in securing the project.
The contract amount is approximately 433 billion KRW, marking the largest project since Hyundai Rotem's entry into the African market.
The Cairo Line 3 electric trains are scheduled to operate on the Ataba to Cairo International Airport section (total length 45.5 km), connecting the eastern and western parts of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. The vehicles shipped this time will undergo test runs upon arrival locally before being put into commercial operation.
Hyundai Rotem plans to deliver all vehicles by 2023, starting with the first trainset delivery this month in collaboration with local partners.
Based on the know-how gained from the previously executed Cairo Line 1 electric train project, Hyundai Rotem introduced a design for Cairo Line 3 electric trains that maximizes ease of local operation and maintenance.
In particular, to prepare for Cairo's weather where summer temperatures can rise close to 50℃, components capable of smooth operation under high temperatures were introduced. Additionally, for the first time on Cairo Line 3, gangways (inter-carriage passageways) were installed, allowing passengers to move freely between cars, facilitating passenger distribution.
The Cairo electric trains consist of 8 cars per trainset, with a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h, and are designed to accommodate approximately 1,740 passengers per trainset.
A Hyundai Rotem official said, "We have put great effort into managing the project schedule as well as ensuring vehicle quality to make the Cairo electric train project a success. Starting with this shipment, we will do our best to deliver high-quality vehicles on time to satisfy our customers and achieve a successful conclusion."
Meanwhile, Hyundai Rotem first entered the African market in 1976 by securing an order for 30 freight cars in Gabon. Since then, it has received orders for freight cars and diesel locomotives from several countries including Nigeria and Ghana, and has expanded its business by securing orders such as 108 electric train cars for Tunisia in 2007, 180 electric train cars for Cairo Line 1 in 2012, and 112 electric train cars for the Tunis suburban line in 2016.
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