Germany’s Vossloh has won two contracts worth about $151m to supply equipment to Libya’s national railway network.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) awarded Vossloh the contract, which involves supplying fastening systems and switches to about 1,300 kilometres of the planned network between 2010 and 2012.

CCECC won the contract to build two new railway lines in Libya in 2009. The company is developing a 352-kilometre railway line between Khums to Sirte and an 800-kilometre line north-south line between Misurata and Sebha. This will improve transport links between Tunisia and Egypt.

Russian Railways is also building a coastal line from Sirte to Benghazi.

Libya is currently investing heavily in developing and upgrading its rail network. Tripoli is also planning a 104-km metro network that will be developed in phases (MEED 9:5:10). The city is developing the metro system to try and relieve congestion in the capital.