Norway Terminates Alstom's Contract for Upgrading 36 EMUs

Norwegian state-owned railway operator Norske tog has decided to terminate the contract with Alstom for upgrading 36 electric multiple units (EMUs), citing severe project delays that have made the fleet modernization plan unfeasible.

The contract, signed in July 2021, involves the upgrading of 36 Class 72 EMUs with four-car formations. These EMUs were originally manufactured by Italy's AnsaldoBreda (acquired by Hitachi Rail in 2015) between 2002 and 2006, with the total contract value standing at 70 million euros. Under the original plan, all upgraded EMUs were supposed to be delivered by the end of this year. However, to date, Alstom's factory in Motala, Sweden, has only completed the refurbishment of 2 EMUs. The upgrade works include the modernization of the EMUs' interiors, comprehensive overhaul of traction equipment, and installation of new doors and auxiliary batteries. Following the contract termination, Norske tog will independently organize the subsequent work related to extending the service life of the EMUs.

It is worth noting that this contract termination has not affected another order between Alstom and the operator – the delivery of 55 Coradia Nordic EMUs. Each EMU under this order will consist of six single-deck carriages, with a total passenger capacity of 778 people, representing a 40% increase compared to the old EMUs they are set to replace. Additionally, Alstom secured Norway's largest-ever railway procurement framework contract in 2022, worth over 1.8 billion euros (approximately 2.04 billion US dollars), and the first confirmed order under this framework contract is for 30 EMUs.