Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and the Saudi Railway Company have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop joint initiatives in the rail sector. The agreement covers infrastructure, digitalization, safety, technological innovation, and professional training in the MENA region, which includes the Middle East and North Africa.
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), Italy’s state-owned railway group, is strengthening its international presence through a new strategic partnership with Saudi Railway Company, Saudi Arabia’s railway company.
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop joint initiatives in key areas for the evolution of rail mobility: infrastructure, sustainability, digitalization, safety, and technological innovation.
The agreement targets new opportunities in the MENA region—that is, the Middle East and North Africa—an area where investments in transportation and rail infrastructure are on the rise.
The document was signed, on behalf of FS, by Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, the group’s general manager and CEO, and on behalf of the Saudi Railway Company by Bashar Al Malik, the company’s CEO.
Long-Term Collaboration
The memorandum aims to build a long-term collaboration by pooling the expertise and experience of the two companies.
The goal is to identify new opportunities in rail transport and integrated mobility, with a focus on infrastructure, design, operations, maintenance, logistics, and digital systems.
Stefano Antonio Donnarumma stated that the agreement with Saudi Railway Company establishes a framework for strategic collaboration in a region of great importance for FS’s international development.
“The Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Railway Company defines a framework for strategic collaboration in a region of great relevance, such as the Middle East and North Africa. The agreement is part of the broader institutional dialogue initiated between Italy and Saudi Arabia in the transportation and infrastructure sector and represents an important step in the FS Group’s path toward international growth,” said Stefano Antonio Donnarumma.
According to him, the goal is to jointly develop new opportunities in the railway, infrastructure, and sustainable mobility sectors.
“The goal is to jointly develop new opportunities in the railway, infrastructure, and sustainable mobility sectors, exploring strategic areas of collaboration such as infrastructure engineering, digitalization, railway safety, certification, and testing. Through this partnership, we intend to make available the expertise, know-how, and industrial experience accumulated by the FS Group, contributing to the development of increasingly innovative, efficient, and sustainable transportation systems,” added Stefano Antonio Donnarumma.
Rail Infrastructure and Intermodal Hubs
The memorandum provides for the development of joint projects in the MENA region, with a focus on the design and construction of rail and metro infrastructure.
The agreement also includes the creation of intermodal hubs, strengthening network resilience, and promoting solutions aimed at decarbonizing transportation.
The cooperation covers infrastructure engineering and the digital transformation of processes through the use of advanced tools and methodologies, such as BIM, information management, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
This framework includes design, project execution, construction site supervision, maintenance support, safety, and operational control systems.
Research, Innovation, and Technical Training
Another section of the agreement is dedicated to research, innovation, and specialized technical training.
The memorandum also provides for the involvement of King Saud University, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading universities.
The objective is to develop joint programs for research and development, technology transfer, and skills training to support the growth of the railway sector in the region.
The agreement also covers infrastructure operation and maintenance, freight transport and logistics, consulting services for institutional and private investors, as well as the development of benchmark models for railway safety.
Potential Regional Hub for Railway Testing
The partnership also opens the door to the development of certified standards, digital tools, and joint centers of excellence.
The goal is to strengthen regional expertise in the design, production, inspection, testing, certification, and management of railway assets.
Among the planned initiatives is the development of expertise for railway testing in Saudi Arabia.
The objective is to lay the groundwork for a potential regional hub dedicated to static and dynamic testing, the validation of next-generation rolling stock, signaling and control systems, and assessments of performance, resilience, and operational safety.
To implement the objectives set forth in the memorandum, FS and the Saudi Railway Company will establish a working group to monitor and coordinate activities.
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