BERLIN: Malaysia’s leading integrated rail vehicle and rail services company Hartasuma Sdn Bhd (HSB) is accelerating its regional expansion by capitalizing on the transition to sustainable energy and increased investment in rail infrastructure across ASEAN. .
To position itself for its next phase of growth, HSB has signed two separate collaboration agreements with Downer Group, Australia’s leading rail and transport systems provider, and Indonesia’s PT Len Railway Systems (PT LRS).
These agreements cover a wide range of opportunities in ASEAN related to railway decarbonization and other railway-related projects.
Early last week, HSB signed a strategic partnership agreement with Downer Group and PT Len Railway Systems for the launch of the Malaysia Pavilion at Innotrans 2024, the world’s largest rail industry exhibition.
At the signing ceremony, Mr. Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, Managing Director of HSB Group, Mr. Stephen Kakabas, Chief Operating Officer of Downer Group Railway and Transportation Systems Division, and Mr. Helarius Agung Suriantoro, Acting Managing Director of PT LRS, Malaysian Ambassador to Germany Datin Paduka Adina Kamaruddin was present. .
The agreement between HSB and Downer Group will see the two companies collaborate on decarbonization efforts, engineering innovation and digital solutions.
HSB and Downer Group will also participate in sharing best practices on diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives that leverage Australian best practices to increase women’s participation in Malaysia’s railway sector.
Downer Group are experts in providing lifelong wealth management support and are a leading provider of integrated infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand.
Its capabilities include rolling stock, infrastructure, rail systems, operations and maintenance, systems integration, engineering innovation, and digital and data solutions. The company designs, builds and maintains major rolling stock projects including Australia’s largest fleet of 119 Waratah railcars.
PT LRS is a subsidiary of PT LEN, Indonesia’s largest provider of railway applications and safety systems.
HSB and PT LRS aim to collaborate to develop railway subsystems, including signaling, and explore decarbonization initiatives to advance hybrid railway technology.
Hybrid train systems typically combine diesel and electric drive systems to reduce fuel consumption by 50% compared to trains that rely solely on diesel.
Mr. Ravindran Menon pointed out that according to the International Energy Agency, railways are one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport for freight and passengers.
He said railways transport 8% of the world’s passengers and 7% of the world’s freight traffic, but only 2% of total transport energy demand.
“It is clear that there is tremendous potential to reduce carbon emissions by moving freight and passenger transport to rail and pursuing the decarbonization of rail.
“We are a well-established company in the Malaysian rail sector, but we are currently firmly moving forward with plans to expand across ASEAN.
“These are exciting times for the regional rail industry, with international projects such as the Pan-Asia Railway, as well as national-level projects across ASEAN, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand,” he said.
Mr. Ravindran Menon said that HSB is working towards expanding its footprint across ASEAN and the company is excited to collaborate with rail industry leaders Downer and PT LRS.
He said these collaborations will strengthen HSB’s capabilities in the hybrid locomotive sector and drive broader innovation in green railway solutions across ASEAN.
“We are committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable rail infrastructure and establishing ourselves as a regional leader in this important sector,” he added.
InnoTrans is the leading international trade fair for transport technology, held every two years in Berlin, Germany.
Innotrans 2024 was held from September 24th to 27th. HSB showcased its wide range of capabilities across railways and cableways, working with industry peers and exploring new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
