In a statement, Transport Minister Mr Hisham Arafat said delivery of an initial batch of 25 of the 2.39MW locomotives will take place next year. The deal also includes a 15-year parts and technical support package for both the new locomotives and GE motive power ENR’s current fleet.

GE will provide training for 275 ENR employees as part of the contract.

On June 19 ENR signed a €290m loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will be used to finance the order. The EBRD will also provide ENR with technical support to develop and implement a freight reform programme, which aims to increase rail freight volumes to 25 million tonnes a year by 2022.