Kontron AIS, the software subsidiary of the Austrian Kontron Group, has won a major contract to modernize the control and automation systems at the Antwerp North rail yard in Antwerp, Belgium. The project involves one of Europe’s largest rail freight hubs.
The contract was awarded following an international tender and will be carried out by Kontron AIS in a consortium with the Belgian company Cegelec Infra Technics. The client is Infrabel, the railway infrastructure manager in Belgium.
The contract value for Kontron AIS is in the range of tens of EUR million, according to the company. The project aims to modernize key control components at the Antwerp North rail yard, which is directly connected to the Port of Antwerp.
The second-largest rail yard in Europe
Antwerp North is the second-largest rail yard in Europe (after Maschen, Germany) and a major hub for international freight transport. Its direct connection to the Port of Antwerp makes it one of the most important transshipment points for goods moving through Europe.
The modernization focuses on the control and automation systems used for automatic train formation. The existing systems will be replaced with a modern solution designed for long-term operation and to ensure the availability of spare parts.
As part of the project, Kontron AIS will comprehensively modernize the route control and braking systems, as well as the control of remotely operated shunting locomotives. The company states that operational safety and system availability are priorities in software development.
Software for 96 sorting lines
The project will utilize the YardLynx software developed by Kontron AIS, a modular control solution for yards and train formation stations. The system is designed to meet various requirements in the operation of shunting and yard infrastructure.
The modernization will include the B2 and C2 subsystems, which together comprise 96 yard lines. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
“The Antwerp contract is an important milestone for our company. It shows that we can compete internationally with our comprehensive software offering and that we are recognized as a trusted technology partner for complex infrastructure projects,” said Michael Jacob, CEO of Kontron AIS.
Kontron Expands Its Software Business in Rail Infrastructure
Through this project, Kontron AIS is strengthening its position in the international market for rail infrastructure software solutions. The company specializes in industrial software and is part of the software division of the Kontron Group, a global provider of IoT technologies.
For Kontron, the contract underscores the growing importance of secure and reliable digitalization solutions in public transportation systems and railway infrastructure.
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