China was an important presence at InnoTrans 2016 with an increasing number of participating companies. During the fair, China Railway Group confirmed China’s target on doubling the high-speed network and the significant development of the entire railway system. At present, the network is 121,000 km long and, according to the development plan approved in July, it will be extended to 150,000 km over the next 4 years and to 175,000 km by 2025. On the long term, China’s railway network is expected to increase to 200,000 km. With over 20,000 km of high-speed railways, China is expected to increase the network to 38,000 km by 2025 and then to 45,000 km. According to Zhou Li, general manager of the Department for Science and Technology from China Railway Group, the railways will be built based on 8 corridors on the north-south axis and other 8 corridors on the east-west.
Following the merger between CNR Corp and CSR Corp, in 2014, China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation Limited (CRRC) participated in the new format for the first time. With the “Connect the world with you” topic, CRRC introduced the latest products for high-speed trains, freight and passenger transport locomotives, rail public transport vehicles and intelligent systems. The company’s objective is to cooperate with the large European rail manufacturers “to explore new markets”. “We are quite new in exploring overseas opportunities, though we are growing very fast and we are willing to cooperate with giant companies in the United Kingdom, France and Germany to explore new markets,” Cao Gangcai, the CRRC’s spokesman said.
Next to Bombardier, CRRC announced the intensification of cooperation by signing a strategic agreement for a joint venture.
However, CRRC is still confronted with hindrances regarding technical standards. For this, CRRC and TÜV Nord signed a memorandum of understanding on rail vehicle certifications, especially for high-speed trains. “The European railway network is a key point in our development on international markets. Through this agreement, our collaboration with TÜV Nord will help us understand the implementation of European standards and the development of our products to meet the requirements of European markets. It will also help us facilitate our access to these markets. We are interested in cooperating with European companies. It’s not just about competition, it is also about collaboration”, declared for Railway PRO, Ren Jian CRRC’s Department of Science and Technology Deputy General Director.
TÜV Nord will support CRRC in its efforts to meet the technical standards with regard to processes and quality. The aim is, besides others, to comply with international safety standards. The two companies plan to collaborate in the certification and assessment of components, the testing of structural elements, and in acceptance procedures. “With our strategic partnership, TÜV Nord and CRRC will jointly ensure high quality and safety standards for the international railway markets”, said Ralf Jung, managing director of TÜV Nord Systems.
Also, this collaboration “will allow TÜV Nord to expand on the Chinese market and develop new projects. The collaboration with CRRC has been lasting for around 5-10 years and the agreement signed today is an important step in the development of both companies”, declared Michael Nieser Head of Energy Technology Division, TÜV Nord.
“We are a global supplier of railway products. We want to deliver as many products as possible, as well as our technology in the European market. Our products rely on concepts such as green mobility and innovation. This MoU is not the first signed with German companies. In June, Deutsche Bahn and China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation signed two MoUs on the stability and optimisation of the maintenance system for high-speed trains”, declared Cui Dianguo, Chairman of CRRC.
by Pamela Luica
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