Ukrzaliznytsia, the Ukrainian national railway operator, and Renfe, Spain’s national railway operator, have signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation to develop passenger and freight rail transport, as well as intermodal logistics, between Ukraine and the European Union.
The cooperation was formalized through a memorandum signed between Renfe Proyectos Internacionales Sociedad Mercantil Estatal (RPI), Renfe’s international subsidiary, and Ukrzaliznytsia.
The partnership combines Renfe’s experience—having operated passenger transport services for over 80 years and with more than 30 years of experience in operating high-speed trains—with Ukrzaliznytsia’s expertise in maintaining and operating the railway network under wartime conditions.
One of the main objectives of the collaboration is the development of dual-gauge rail networks. Spain has for many years operated an infrastructure that uses both the Iberian gauge of 1,668 mm and the European standard gauge of 1,435 mm, while Ukraine is gradually expanding its European-gauge network while simultaneously maintaining its 1,520 mm broad-gauge infrastructure.
The cooperation will include the implementation of automatic gauge-changing technologies, the development of connection points between the two systems, and the planning of the expansion of the European-gauge railway network in Ukraine. It should be noted that in March, Ukrzaliznytsia and Tria, a Spanish company, signed an agreement to develop variable-gauge technology for freight trains.
Cooperation on Passenger and Freight Transport
Ukrzaliznytsia and Renfe will explore opportunities to develop passenger rail services in Central and Eastern Europe, including the organization of European-gauge routes on lines already built in Ukraine, as well as those under construction or in the planning phase.
Another important area of collaboration is the exchange of expertise. Renfe will share with its Ukrainian partner the experience it has gained in operating high-speed railways, developing modern business and pricing models, and operating in the competitive European Union passenger rail market.
The memorandum also provides for cooperation to improve the accessibility of infrastructure and rolling stock for people with disabilities and other categories of passengers with reduced mobility.
In the freight transport, the partnership aims to develop intermodal logistics between Ukraine and European Union member states, as well as to facilitate the exchange of best practices between the technical teams of the two companies.
For its part, Ukrzaliznytsia will share the experience it has gained in ensuring the continuity of rail transport, the rapid restoration of damaged infrastructure, and the maintenance of the railway system’s operations under wartime conditions. At the same time, specialists from both companies will collaborate on modern traffic management and railway safety systems, increasing network capacity, and improving the quality of services provided to passengers and freight operators.
Share on:
