JSC Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) and Spain’s national railway operator Renfe have agreed on strategic cooperation aimed at developing freight and passenger transportation, according to the company’s statement on Friday.
"Ukrzaliznytsia and Renfe — Spain’s national railway operator with more than 80 years of experience in passenger transportation and over 30 years of operating high-speed trains — have agreed on strategic cooperation,” UZ said in a statement.
The agreement includes cooperation on the implementation of automatic gauge-changing technologies, the organization of connection points between different railway systems, and planning the development of European-standard railways.
Among other areas, the companies will explore opportunities for preparing and organizing passenger routes using the 1,435 mm gauge railway in Ukraine, both on already constructed lines and on sections currently under construction or planned for development.
The memorandum also provides for cooperation in freight transportation and intermodal logistics between Ukraine and European Union countries.
“Ukrzaliznytsia, for its part, will share its unique experience in ensuring uninterrupted transportation, rapid infrastructure restoration, and maintaining the resilience of the railway system under the conditions of a full-scale war,” the company said.
As part of the cooperation, technical teams from both sides will exchange experience in modern traffic management and safety systems, increasing railway capacity, and improving services for passengers and freight customers.
The parties will also work on further developing accessible infrastructure and rolling stock for people with disabilities and other groups with reduced mobility.
Ukrzaliznytsia clarified that the cooperation was formalized through a memorandum with Renfe’s subsidiary, Renfe Proyectos Internacionales Sociedad Mercantil Estatal (RPI).
