€690 mn deal to modernise Egypt freight rail lines

A consortium led by Alstom has signed €690 million worth of contracts with Egyptian National Railways to upgrade freight rail corridors that link industrial zones with ports and support wider trade movement between Egypt and Middle East supply routes.

The project, led by Alstom with partners Rowad Modern Engineering and Concrete Plus, will modernise the 6th of October–Alexandria and Belbes–10th of Ramadan corridors. The upgrades focus on improving freight transport through digital signalling systems, stronger rail infrastructure, and better network control.

The works are expected to increase cargo capacity, reduce travel time, and improve reliability of freight movement between dry ports, manufacturing hubs, and the Mediterranean port network. This is important for smoother trade flows that connect Egypt to regional and international shipping routes. They will help ease supply chain bottlenecks, support sustainable freight transport, and boost national and regional trade flows.

“These projects are redefining the future of rail in Egypt,” said Ramy Salah, Managing Director of Alstom Egypt. “Our partnership with Egyptian National Railways, driven by world-class expertise and Egyptian talents, is creating vital transport corridors that drive economic growth, connect key industrial and logistics centres, and unlock new opportunities for future generations.”

The 6th of October–Alexandria line will see major upgrades to support faster movement of goods between inland logistics centres and the coast. The Belbes–10th of Ramadan corridor will strengthen freight access to one of Egypt’s key industrial areas.

The project includes modern control systems that allow better coordination of train operations and real-time monitoring, which can reduce delays and improve efficiency across busy freight routes.