Hungary: Budapest-Belgrade Rail Freight Launch Set For Feb 27

BUDAPEST, Hungary – The Hungarian section of the landmark Budapest–Belgrade railway line is entering its final commissioning phase, with officials confirming that freight services are set to commence on February 27. This milestone for the 166 km Soroksár–Kelebia line marks a critical step in activating a high-speed trade corridor linking Central Europe to the Chinese-owned port of Piraeus in Greece.

Main Body:

Hungarian authorities have announced the start of final system testing on the entire Soroksár–Kelebia section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway, paving the way for the line’s much-anticipated opening. Zsolt Hegyi, CEO of the state-owned MÁV group, confirmed that all major infrastructure, including switches, buildings, platforms, and contact lines, is complete. The line is currently undergoing “dark operation tests”—a crucial phase where signaling, control, and passenger information systems are run with real trains under operational conditions, but without commercial traffic, to ensure system stability and safety before launch.

The newly modernized 166 km line features double tracks and is engineered for speeds up to 160 km/h, representing one of Hungary’s most significant rail infrastructure projects in decades. All operations are being coordinated from a new, highly automated control center in Kiskunhalas, which manages train traffic, signals, switches, and level crossing safety systems. In a final push to ensure cross-border interoperability, work is also underway at Budapest’s Keleti station to modify platforms 12 and 13. This €770,000 adjustment is necessary to accommodate Chinese-built electric multiple units, which the Serbian rail operator plans to use, as they lack the folding steps required for lower platforms, a technical specification difference identified late in the project.

The project is a cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Europe, largely funded by a loan from China’s export-import bank. Hungarian Minister of Construction and Transport, János Lázár, confirmed that the line will operate at full capacity for freight, with most available slots already contracted. Following the freight launch, passenger services are expected to begin in early March, with an initial schedule of three pairs of trains daily. A key objective for passenger service viability is a targeted border control time of under 30 minutes, a detail Hungarian and Serbian authorities are working to finalize.

Key Takeaways

• Freight Operations Imminent: The line will open for freight traffic on February 27, establishing a direct rail link between Central Europe and the port of Piraeus.
• Strategic Chinese Investment: The project, financed by a Chinese state bank, is a major physical manifestation of the Belt and Road Initiative within the European Union.
• Passenger Services to Follow: International passenger trains are scheduled to start in early March, aiming for enhanced connectivity with streamlined border controls.

Editor’s Analysis

The launch of the Hungarian section of the Budapest-Belgrade line is more than a national infrastructure upgrade; it is a geopolitical and logistical game-changer. This railway creates a vital artery for the “China-Europe Land-Sea Express Route,” designed to funnel goods from the COSCO-operated Piraeus port directly into the EU’s industrial heartland, bypassing traditional northern European ports. Its operational success will serve as a powerful proof-of-concept for Chinese-led infrastructure projects within the EU, potentially influencing future investment and trade patterns. For the global rail freight market, this line introduces a new, competitive north-south corridor that could significantly alter logistics chains between Asia and Europe, making it a project of immense strategic importance watched by industry leaders and policymakers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Budapest-Belgrade railway line open in Hungary?

Freight traffic is scheduled to begin on February 27. Passenger services are expected to follow shortly after, likely in early to mid-March.

What is the significance of this railway project?

It is a key project in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, creating a high-speed freight corridor from the Greek port of Piraeus into Central Europe. It aims to significantly shorten transport times for goods between Asia and the EU.

Who financed the modernization of the Hungarian section?

The project was primarily financed through a substantial loan from China’s Export-Import Bank, highlighting the deep economic cooperation between Hungary and China.