Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has signed contracts with Progress Rail and Greenbrier to manufacture and supply 33 new freight locomotives and 782 freight cars to support the Phosphate 3 expansion project.
The Phosphate 3 expansion project is a USD 7.4 bln mega-development by the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) to increase the country’s phosphate fertilizer production by 50pct.
The contract with Progress Rail covers the purchase of 33 new freight locomotives, while Greenbrier will design, manufacture and supply 782 freight cars.
The contracts are aimed at expanding SAR’s fleet capacity and improving the readiness and reliability of rail transport operations as phosphate transportation volumes increase. The new equipment is also expected to support greater efficiency and sustainability in freight operations.
SAR signed the agreements during InnoTrans, the International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, in Berlin.