Deal to supply locomotives to Germany speeds up CRRC unit's planet-wide push

"German trains always run on time" - that old saying may soon be modified in the digital era to "Made-in-China trains in Germany always run on time".

Hunan-based CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd studied Germany's obsession with precision, strict schedules and technical finesse before sealing in late June a deal with Deutsche Bahn to export 20 hybrid shunting locomotives.

For the first time, Chinese whole-vehicle rail transit equipment will be exported to Germany. The locomotives, equipped with lithium batteries, are designed to meet the standards of the European Union and have a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

CRRC Zhuzhou is a subsidiary of China Railway Rolling Stock Corp, the largest rolling stock manufacturer by production volume in the world. The arm specializes in the manufacture of trains including electric locomotives, mass transit vehicles, intercity electric multiple units, maglev trains and super-capacitor trams.

CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive and Deutsche Bahn jointly developed the new type of hybrid shunting locomotive in 2017. The first batch of locomotives has been built and will soon be shipped to Hamburg in Germany, according to the manufacturer.

China's railway industry has focused on efficiency and on accelerating train speeds over long distances. This helped in convincing Germany to seek further collaborations for railway technology with China, said Zhou Qinghe, chairman of CRRC Zhuzhou.

China has been keen to deepen trade ties with countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. The country will seek to build new and upgraded transportation networks in addition to supplying bullet trains to countries in Asia, Africa and Europe.

The country has already operated the world's longest rail tracks that run from China's eastern coast to Madrid, Spain. China and Germany have also opened up a number of cargo freight services running between both countries.

"With high technological standards for electric and internal combustion locomotives and lower cost, Chinese trains will continue to impress both the world and Germany as its manufacturers are capable of collaborating on its rail-tech upgrades," said Zhou.

Besides Germany, CRRC Zhuzhou has exported highspeed trains to the Czech Republic, electric locomotives to Serbia, and shunting locomotives to Austria.