Korean-made high-speed railway rolling stock has begun its first commercial operation overseas.

Hyundai Rotem announced on the 6th that its new high-speed railway rolling stock in Uzbekistan had entered full-scale commercial service from the 5th (local time). The high-speed trains have been deployed on Uzbekistan’s longest railway line, which runs between the capital Tashkent and Khiva, a major Silk Road city in the western region. The line is approximately 1,020 km long.

This project is the result of a contract signed in June 2024 between Hyundai Rotem and Uzbekistan Temir Yo’llari (UTY) for the supply and maintenance of distributed-traction high-speed rolling stock. It is also Hyundai Rotem’s first export case of high-speed rail, a goal the company has pursued for 30 years. The total contract amount is approximately KRW 270 billion.

The commencement of commercial operation in about two years after the order is seen as proof of Hyundai Rotem’s distinctive competitiveness in meeting delivery schedules. It is expected to have a positive impact on winning future overseas high-speed rail projects.

At the time of the contract, Hyundai Rotem agreed to supply a total of six trainsets of distributed-traction high-speed trains with a maximum speed of 250 km/h (seven cars per trainset). The total line length has been reduced from 1,216 km to around 1,020 km. Hyundai Rotem explained that the actual operating distance was finalized at 1,020 km in line with local conditions and the requirements of the implementing agency. The high-speed trains that have entered commercial operation in Uzbekistan were designed based on the distributed-traction high-speed train KTX-Eum (EMU-260), which has proven its technological performance and safety through commercial operation in Korea. They were produced as a locally customized model to ensure safe long-distance operation and a comfortable ride environment. Key customized features include dust-proof design to cope with extreme heat and desert conditions, a broad-gauge design with increased car width, and stair specifications that reflect local platform heights. Each trainset can carry up to 389 passengers and offers three classes of seating: VIP, business, and economy.

Hyundai Rotem expects that the opening of this high-speed service will significantly contribute to improving local transport infrastructure. Travel time between Tashkent and Khiva is expected to be reduced to around seven hours, about half of the previous duration. Khiva, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a central hub of the Silk Road, has recently emerged as a major destination city for international tourists visiting the country.

Hyundai Rotem’s high-speed rail export is viewed as the outcome of more than 20 years of joint public-private efforts devoted to research and development (R&D) and system stabilization. In particular, about 600 domestic component suppliers participated in this Uzbekistan project. It is being evaluated as a successful case of shared growth driven by exports.

A Hyundai Rotem official said, “We will do our utmost together with domestic component suppliers to ensure stable completion of the Uzbekistan high-speed train project, including maintenance,” adding, “We will continue to concentrate our capabilities on expanding export bases for Korean-made high-speed trains and establishing a foundation for shared growth in K-rail.”

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