An insight into InnoTrans 2024

With the ability for customers to connect with suppliers, and for manufacturers and suppliers to showcase their latest products and services, the event turns into a global forum for ideas to be shared, opportunities to be spotted, and deals to be made.

InnoTrans spans over an enormous site - with 42 indoor halls and 3,500 metres of track outdoors, a bus display and demonstration course giving attendees a high degree of flexibility on what to do. For the ES team there was the chance to catch-up with clients, network with connections and target stands of interest in order to learn more about their products, and tour round the outdoor displays of both new and refurbished rolling stock.

As a rare opportunity to meet people in the industry in the same place, there were impromptu discussions and talks to attend. There was also a lot to be gained from simply walking around the venue to look and learn from the sheer amount of suppliers in the rail supply chain about the latest technologies and developments in the industry. 

As advisors on the Egypt High Speed Railway project, a key moment for the ES team was the unveiling of the Siemens Velaro train, a major milestone for Egypt’s new 2,000km high-speed rail network. The new trains are specifically designed to cope with the challenging climatic conditions in Egypt, and are expected to be delivered from 2025 onwards. Siemens also brought its new “Mireo” train, which can be ordered as a hydrogen, battery or traditional electric train with the ability to have multiple power packs onboard.

Other highlights included Stadler’s new “RS Zero” regional shuttle battery train, a two-car battery-powered train for Deutsche Bahn, and new bi-mode locomotive for Beacon Rail in the UK. In addition, new U-Bahn trains for Berlin were presented, as part of further modernisation of its extensive transport network. Hitachi, Alstom, and CAF were also present with their own products and technologies.

Various operators and rail authorities, including Deutsche Bahn, the Road and Transport Authority of Dubai, Etihad Rail, Saudi Arabia Railways, and Trenitalia, all had a significant presence presenting their own bold plans for future growth and investment in new rail infrastructure projects and transport related products.  

The prevailing themes from the event are that sustainable and digital solutions (specifically AI) are a primary focus for the future of the industry. Train manufacturers are embracing new and greener technologies - noticeable this year was the number of battery and hydrogen trains on show, with the ability for a train to use multiple power sources dependent on the infrastructure on specific parts of rail networks. This will help to reduce reliance on diesel trains, and allow lower cost, more sustainable power sources to be used instead. 

The market is moving towards the digitalisation of signalling and train control systems, with the usage of AI where appropriate. These advances are designed to help improve efficiency, and capacity on the network, to move more people more reliably. AI is a growing area, with its usage in train planning and asset maintenance intended to help optimise operations and spot problems earlier so they can be fixed before a delay is incurred.

Despite the impacts of COVID, the event underscores the continued importance of  the rail sector in supporting the growth and development of societies and economies as well as the sheer amount of innovation there is in the industry which will bring about greener and more cost efficient rail travel.

As market-leading advisors with extensive sector knowledge, Eversheds Sutherland is well placed to embrace and help bring about that innovation and change for our clients and the wider industry. If there are any opportunities that you would like to discuss, please get in touch with our team.