Egyptian Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir and US Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg witnessed the signing of the contracts.
The deals will modernize 100 Henschel locomotives, supply spare parts for 141 locomotives for 15 years, and provide technical support for 10 years.
Chairman of the ENR Engineer Mohamed Amer and Vice President of PRL Mr. Jack Zeng have signed the contracts.
Minister El-Wazir stated that these contracts are part of the ministry's plan to support the current fleet of locomotives, increase the number of trips on the network, and improve service, meeting the growing needs of a transport sector capable of driving development.
He added that enhancing the railway system will also increase the volume of goods transported via it, reduce road burdens, and leverage railway resources.
El-Wazir explained that modernizing 100 Henschel locomotives will involve installing entirely new components, including the engine, advanced control system EM2000, high-voltage electrical cabin, air compressor, low-pressure cabin, air brake system, and cooling system.
Additionally, major components of the locomotives will undergo overhauls using new spare parts.
Moreover, he emphasized that this modernization would benefit the locomotive operationally by reducing oil consumption by approximately 50 percent with the new engine technology and decreasing fuel consumption by over three percent compared to the current engine technology.
It will also reduce carbon emissions, enhance fleet availability, and improve reliability for the ENR by replacing outdated parts and increasing common components with the authority's EMD JT42CWRM locomotives.
The minister also stressed that these contracts aim to localize industry. The Egyptian Railways Maintenance and Services (ERMAS) will overhaul reused parts (traction motors, main generators, and so on).
This will allow the use of local components and the transfer of expertise under PRL's supervision.
The minister also indicated that, per the deals, the ministry, in collaboration with major global companies, will introduce 210 new locomotives and rehabilitate and repair 99 locomotives out of the current fleet of 210.
In addition, it will provide regular maintenance of the current fleet at railway workshops as part of a comprehensive plan to continue developing the railway system.
"I am pleased to witness the signing of contracts worth over $235 million for the modernization and maintenance of locomotives. I congratulate Progress Rail and the Egyptian Railways on this agreement," Ambassador Garg said.
"The United States is proud of its advanced technologies and innovations, which contribute to and will continue to bring mutual prosperity to both countries," he added.
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