Bane NOR selects supplier of major contract for switches and crossings

Bane NOR is the state-owned infrastructure manager of the roughly 4,200km-long rail network in Norway. The agreement mainly covers the supply of switches and crossings for conventional rail lines as well as the development of a new range of switches for heavy-haul lines. All supplies and components will be provided by Vossloh’s Swedish subsidiary, Vossloh Nordic Switch Systems AB.

In addition, deliveries under the framework agreement are scheduled to start almost immediately in the course of 2021. Bane NOR has chosen to take delivery of the fully assembled switches via special tilting wagons. The contract also covers the supply of an extensive range of spare parts for all existing switches and crossings on the Norwegian network. The total order value, including options, for the entire term is over €80 million.

In partnership with the Vossloh Group, Vossloh Nordic Switch Systems is part of the Customized Modules division. The company is based in Ystad, Sweden, with a local workforce of 150 employees, who all specialise and work towards the development, manufacture and distribution of the switch systems.

Oliver Schuster, CEO of Vossloh AG said: “Sustainability criteria also played a major role in the awarding of the contract, further evidence of the high importance attached to this issue in our industry. We are therefore very pleased that we were again able to convince in this area and successfully continue our long-standing business relationship with Bane NOR.

“The framework agreement underlines our strong market position in Northern Europe and the close cooperation with Bane NOR also opens up further growth potentials for us. In the years ahead, for instance, significant investments are planned for the digitalisation and data-based monitoring of the Norwegian rail network. With our globally unique product and service portfolio and the comprehensive systemic understanding of the rail track, we are the perfect partner when it comes to condition-based and predictive maintenance,” continued Oliver.

The contract includes an initial term of two years, however, an option to extend the agreement a further six years, until 2029, is also possible.