Deutsche Bahn sources loco pilots from India

28 Oct 2024 CW Team

Company executives noted that approximately 100 Indian employees, about one-sixth of DB鈥檚 Indian workforce, have received training for global roles. Warbanoff mentioned that DB has hired and upskilled staff from Duhai in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and nearby areas for these roles.

DB recently marked a year of operating India鈥檚 first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), managing the 42-kilometre stretch with a workforce of 600, which Warbanoff described as a successful beginning. He highlighted India as a strategic market for DB. In July 2022, DB secured a 12-year contract to operate and maintain the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS, a contract valued at over Rs 100 million. This was a milestone, as it was the first instance in India where comprehensive operations and maintenance activities were handed over to a private entity, a departure from the usual government-led model for public transport services, such as railways and metro systems.

Warbanoff indicated that DB is interested in expanding its operations within India, particularly in managing metro services. Earlier in the month, DB Engineering & Consulting signed an agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to explore joint business opportunities. This partnership will focus on areas such as system engineering and integration, general engineering consultancy, project management, and construction supervision for urban mass transit projects.

However, DB鈥檚 operations in India recently faced a minor setback with a derailment incident on the Rs 300 billion RRTS. A high-level inquiry committee of technical experts, established by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), issued a formal reprimand and corrective actions were subsequently taken.

Germany鈥檚 state-owned rail company, Deutsche Bahn (DB), has started recruiting locomotive pilots from India to support its global projects, as the company seeks to address a train driver shortage in Germany. Niko Warbanoff, CEO of DB International Operations (DB IO), explained that the company aims to utilise its Indian workforce across its international projects. Company executives noted that approximately 100 Indian employees, about one-sixth of DB鈥檚 Indian workforce, have received training for global roles. Warbanoff mentioned that DB has hired and upskilled staff from Duhai in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and nearby areas for these roles. DB recently marked a year of operating India鈥檚 first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), managing the 42-kilometre stretch with a workforce of 600, which Warbanoff described as a successful beginning. He highlighted India as a strategic market for DB. In July 2022, DB secured a 12-year contract to operate and maintain the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS, a contract valued at over Rs 100 million. This was a milestone, as it was the first instance in India where comprehensive operations and maintenance activities were handed over to a private entity, a departure from the usual government-led model for public transport services, such as railways and metro systems. Warbanoff indicated that DB is interested in expanding its operations within India, particularly in managing metro services. Earlier in the month, DB Engineering & Consulting signed an agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to explore joint business opportunities. This partnership will focus on areas such as system engineering and integration, general engineering consultancy, project management, and construction supervision for urban mass transit projects. However, DB鈥檚 operations in India recently faced a minor setback with a derailment incident on the Rs 300 billion RRTS. A high-level inquiry committee of technical experts, established by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), issued a formal reprimand and corrective actions were subsequently taken.

Infrastructure Transport

16 Jun 2025

Lack of Bidders Stalls VOC Port鈥檚 Rs 70.56 Bn Harbour Project Again

The VOC Port Authority鈥檚 Rs 70.56 billion outer harbour project has once again faced a setback, with the latest tender process cancelled due to the absence of qualified bidders. This marks the second failed attempt to secure participation for the mega infrastructure initiative.The tender has reportedly been withdrawn from the active list of bids, and the authority is now expected to re-evaluate and possibly restructure the project to enhance its appeal to potential developers.The port authority had initially floated the Request for Proposal (RFP) in December 2024, following the cancellation ..

Infrastructure Transport

16 Jun 2025

Sea Lord Containers Opens Cryogenic LPG Terminal in Mangalore

Sea Lord Containers (SCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aegis Logistics, has commissioned a new cryogenic Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal in Mangalore. The facility, which became operational on 12 June 2025, offers a static storage capacity of 82,000 metric tons (MT), significantly strengthening the region鈥檚 LPG logistics infrastructure.The terminal was developed by SCL on behalf of Aegis Vopak Terminals, an associate company of Aegis Logistics. The asset is expected to be transferred to Aegis Vopak Terminals Limited at a later date, with formal updates to be shared separately with st..

Infrastructure Urban

16 Jun 2025

Cochin Port and Oil India Partner for Offshore Exploration Support

The Cochin Port Authority (CoPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oil India (OIL) to establish a shore base facility supporting offshore oil exploration in the Kerala-Konkan Basin. The agreement was formalised at a ceremony held at CoPA, Willingdon Island, on 12 June 2025, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.Under the partnership, Cochin Port will provide critical logistics infrastructure for OIL鈥檚 offshore drilling operations, expected to begin later in 2025. The planned shore base will include a dedicated warehouse, dry bulk handling plant, and an..