Uzbekistan Railways and Hyundai Rotem signed a Won 270 billion (USD 195 million) contract for the supply of six high-speed rail trains (totalling 42 cars) capable to run at 250 km/h, which is considered the first export for high-speed technology made in Korea.
The agreement was signed on June 13, 2024, in the presence of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, during the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum held in Tashkent.
“The contract signed by Uzbekistan Railways and Hyundai Rotem marks the first export for high-speed trains developed with Korean technology. An excellent high-speed rail vehicle developed by a Korean company with its own technology will greatly contribute to improving railway services and infrastructure in Uzbekistan while also leading to expanded cooperation in the overall railway sector between the two countries, including high-speed rail operation,” the President of South Korea said.
Hyundai Rotem will deliver six high-speed rail trains
Under the contract, which also includes maintenance services, Hyundai Rotem will deliver 175-metre long high-speed trains with seven cars of which 5 cars at economy class, one car designed for business class with bistro seats and one car with VIP seats.
The new train will have a total capacity of 389 passengers.
The new trains will be similar to the KTX-Eum trains that Korail put into services in 2021, but a key difference includes operation on 1520mm-gauge railway lines with a platform height of 200mm, as well as taking traction current at 25kV 50Hz AC.
The main goal of the project is to upgrade Uzbekistan Railways’ high-speed train fleet by purchasing supplying, testing and commissioning of the new trains that meet the latest advanced technical equipment requirements.
The new trains will be put into operation on most popular interregional routes such as the ones connecting the city of Tashkent with the cities of Urgench (970 km west of Tashkent), Khiva (1,000 km west of Tashkent, in Khorazm region) and Nukus (autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan) or between these cities on the electrified railway lines.
The new trains will increase the efficiency of rail passenger services, expand passenger transport opportunities, expand tourism and business opportunities, increase the level of comfort for, and create new jobs.
Recently, Uzbekistan Railways launched a contest inviting talented designers to create the exterior design of the new trains manufactured by Hyundai Rotem.
The company says that “it is necessary to develop the external design of the high-speed electric train of Hyundai Rotem as they will reflect elements suitable for the national, cultural and historical image of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The symbols of the “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy should be widely used in the design of high-speed electric trains.”
New trains to meet local climate conditions
The new trains will be designed to meet local climate conditions characterised by high desert temperatures and must be fitted with filters to prevent the dust and sand.
To renew its fleet, in 2023 Uzbekistan Railways awarded Škoda Group a EUR 320 million contract for the supply of 30 wide-gauge electric trains.
During the forum, the two heads of the state signed 17 deals, agreements and documents including an agreement on cooperation in the field of transport, an agreement on supporting the activities of the Uzbekistan-Korea joint committee on trade and economic cooperation, among others.
The Korea Railroad and Uzbekistan Railways signed a memorandum of understanding to boost bilateral cooperation on operations, maintenance, technology exchanges and personnel training.
The total volume of Korean investments in the economy of Uzbekistan exceeded USD 7.5 billion dollars and 726 enterprises with Korean investment are operating in Uzbekistan.
Joint projects are being implemented in industry, energy, automotive, chemical, mining, textile, food industry, IT and other important areas.
During the forum, more than 80 Korean companies participated with a set of new projects worth USD 9.6 billion which will give a strong boost to trade and economic cooperation.
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