Siemens Delivers First D9 Locomotive for EUR 3 Billion India

VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA – Siemens Mobility has handed over the first D9 electric freight locomotive for commercial operation to Indian Railways, a key milestone in a EUR 3 billion order for 1,200 units placed in January 2023. The delivery coincided with the joint inauguration of the first of four planned maintenance depots in Visakhapatnam. The 9,000 hp locomotives are designed to haul 5,800-ton loads at speeds up to 120 km/h.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The full-lifecycle partnership includes the design, manufacturing, commissioning, and 35 years of complete maintenance for a fleet of 1,200 electric locomotives. The contract, the largest in Siemens Mobility’s history, mandates the use of the Railigent X platform for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. Maintenance will be handled through a network of four dedicated depots located in Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Kharagpur, and Pune.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

This order for 1,200 single-section 9,000 hp (6.7 MW) locomotives is one of the largest single rolling stock procurements globally. It follows a similarly large-scale contract awarded by Indian Railways to Alstom in 2015 for 800 twin-section WAG-12B locomotives, valued at approximately EUR 3.5 billion. While the Siemens D9 is a single-unit Co-Co configuration, the Alstom WAG-12B is a twin-unit Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’ locomotive rated at 12,000 hp (9.0 MW), making it more powerful but operationally different. The Siemens contract places a significant emphasis on digitalization and a 35-year lifecycle maintenance agreement, reflecting a growing trend in long-term service partnerships over simple procurement.

Editor’s Analysis

The Siemens D9 delivery is a critical component of India’s National Rail Plan, which aims to increase rail’s freight market share from 27% to 45% by 2030. This massive fleet expansion complements other major capital expenditures, such as the modernization of the country’s signalling infrastructure, a market projected to reach USD 12.00 billion by 2034 (Source: OpenPR). By pairing advanced, high-horsepower rolling stock with digital maintenance platforms and signalling upgrades, Indian Railways is building a vertically integrated system designed to compete directly with road transport on efficiency and reliability.

FAQ

Q: What makes the D9 locomotive significant for India?
A: With 9,000 hp, the D9 is the most powerful single-section electric freight locomotive in India. This high power output is crucial for increasing haulage capacity and improving speeds on the country’s increasingly congested and almost fully electrified network.

Q: What is the maintenance and service plan for this fleet?
A: The EUR 3 billion contract includes a 35-year comprehensive maintenance agreement managed by Siemens Mobility. Service will be provided from four depots in Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Kharagpur, and Pune, using the Railigent X digital platform for predictive monitoring.

Q: How does this project impact India’s environmental goals?
A: The project directly supports India’s goal to reduce carbon emissions by enabling a significant modal shift of freight from road to rail. Utilizing the nearly 100% electrified rail network with these high-efficiency locomotives will lower the logistics sector’s overall carbon footprint.