The Spanish manufacturer CAF has been reconfirmed as the preferred bidder for the most significant railway contract in Belgium’s recent history: the manufacture and supply of up to 600 AM30 trains for the state-owned operator SNCB, for an amount that could reach €3.4 billion, although the manufacturer warns that the final figure is not closed.
This framework agreement provides for a significant renewal of the Belgian fleet over 12 years, encompassing up to 170,000 seats, with a first commitment of €1.695 billion for units totalling 54,000 seats. It becomes the largest contract in CAF’s history, followed by the contract for 102 Urbos trams for Boston’s Green Line, valued at US$810 million (approximately €769 million).
The award has not been without controversy. The French multinational Alstom, CAF’s main rival, could challenge the process in court. In its crusade after learning that CAF was the preferred bidder, the French company argued that its offer was 100 million euros cheaper and denounced the lack of valuation of local employment.
Alstom has used its various plants in Belgium, which employ 1,900 people, as leverage and managed to paralyse the process with judicial appeals, political and trade union pressure, as well as a thorough review of the criteria of transparency and legality.
SNCB defends its choice by stressing that CAF’s proposal received a higher technical score and that the tender specifications do not permit prioritising local production within the framework of European law.