BusinessLive Wales’ Post

Plans for Europe's first integrated train and rail infrastructure testing facility in the Dulais Valley were first mooted by the Welsh Government seven years ago. The Global Centre of Rail Excellence is now in discussions with a debt funder which it hopes will ensure delivery of the project, that would create more than 1,000 jobs.

🚄 Rolling Stock News Positive sounding news, possible creation of 1000 UK jobs. The £400 million Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) project in South Wales is progressing as it seeks funding. The Welsh Government has earmarked a 700-hectare site in the Dulais Valley, which is ready for development. The GCRE aims to create Europe’s first integrated testing facility for trains, featuring electrified tracks and maintenance facilities. Over 200 firms, including Network Rail and Transport for Wales, have expressed interest in utilising the site. However, GCRE needs to raise around £330 million to move forward. Initial fundraising efforts for equity investment faced challenges due to economic uncertainties. With the right funding, GCRE could transform rail innovation in Wales and beyond. Original article: https://lnkd.in/er6KgFbV #GCRE #RailInnovation #CheckedRecruitment #electricrail #rollingstock

🚆 Pausefika news: Is 🇫🇷 Lagging in Rail Infrastructure Investment? Every year, the German association "Alliance for the Rail" publishes its ranking of investments in rail infrastructure. The latest edition reveals a sobering reality: France - my home country - is at the bottom with just 51 euros per inhabitant in 2023, see: https://lnkd.in/ddkHZb5i 📉 Comparative Analysis France’s investment is notably lower than that of Spain (70 euros per inhabitant), Germany (115 euros), and the Netherlands (174 euros). Leading the pack are Austria (336 euros), Switzerland (477 euros), and Luxembourg (512 euros), which have consistently invested heavily in their rail networks. 🔍 Funding Complexities Despite an increase of 5 euros per inhabitant from 2022, the investment appears insufficient given the challenges. France’s aging rail network, averaging 30 years old, suffers from reduced train speeds and line closures, especially in regional trains (TER). The 51 euros figure, however, doesn’t capture the full picture. French rail funding comes from commercial revenue (tolls), state contributions, public subsidies, and loans. The Alliance for the Rail study only considers public spending, excluding tolls, loans, and company-funded investments. 🇫🇷 The French Funding Model France’s performance contract between the state and SNCF Réseau (infrastructure and maintenance) will reach 4.5 billion euros by 2027. For 2024, an additional 300 million euros will come from Groupe SNCF dividends paid to the state. In contrast, Germany plans to invest 86 billion euros in its network over ten years, with three-quarters funded by the federal government and one-quarter by the regions (Länder). 🚄 Future Outlook Despite increased revenue from competitors like Renfe and Trenitalia , who pay high tolls (40% of a TGV ticket), the funds are still insufficient for necessary upgrades. The French government promised 100 billion euros for rail by 2040, but the sector is still waiting for these funds to materialize. Fanny Arav, deputy general secretary of the UNSA-Ferroviaire union, warns of a potential decline reminiscent of the public hospital system, with degrading financial assets impacting SNCF Réseau’s debt capacity. For more insights and updates on the rail sector, join the conversation on Pausefika. Ivan Rascle, Pierre-Yves Leseigneur, what say you? #RailInfrastructure #Transportation #France #Investments #PublicTransport #SNCF #Railway #EU #Sustainability #Pausefika

UK Infrastructure Bank, Rock Rail and Aviva launch funding platform for zero emission buses 🗣 John Flint, CEO of UK Infrastructure Bank, said: “The vast majority of the UK’s 36,500 buses are still diesel powered and so replacing these with a cleaner, greener alternative will be key in decarbonising the transport sector and achieving UK net zero targets. This will require a massive scale up of investment. 💰 Charlotte Jones, Chief Financial Officer at #Aviva, said: “This investment will make it easier for transport authorities to decarbonise their networks whilst continuing to provide a valuable public service.” Mark Swindell, CEO of Rock Rail , said: “Since entering the UK rolling stock market in 2016, Rock has delivered over £3.5bn of investment in new trains and we see a similar scale of opportunity in the zero emission bus market.” #electricbus #zeroemission #publictransport #mobility

𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐓𝐒𝐂 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐑𝐃𝐂) "Liberia’s quest to transform its critical rail infrastructure is gaining momentum as a U.S.-backed consortium led by TSC Global and Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading and operating the Yekepa-Buchanan railway at no cost to the Liberian government. Sources within the government have confirmed the consortium’s readiness to deliver a fully funded solution that addresses both fiscal constraints and infrastructure challenges while ensuring fair access for all rail users. For years the Government owned rail between Yekepa and Buchanan has been monopolized by ArcelorMittal without any other company having access. That is about to change if the Boakai Administration follows through on the implementation of the President's Executive Order 136, opening up the rail to multiple users. This development represents a significant milestone for Liberia’s economy, aligning with the vision outlined in President Joseph Boakai’s Executive Order establishing the National Rail Authority (NRA) to promote transparency, efficiency, and multiuser access to national rail assets. With other companies such as Ivanhoe Atlantic (formerly HPX) poised to be one of the key users, this independent rail operation model holds the promise of unlocking billions of dollars in revenue, spurring economic growth, and enhancing the country’s infrastructure capacity. It is very likely that other companies, not just Ivanhoe Atlantic, will seek access to the all important rail to port infrastructure under an independent operator model that grants rail access to others and is not controlled and used only by ArcelorMittal. The consortium’s proposal, according to sources, addresses several critical needs for Liberia’s railway infrastructure. It requires no financial contribution, no sovereign guarantees, and no government-mandated agreements with third parties such as ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), whose current concession gives it exclusive access to the railway for several more years. In other words, the Consortium will invest resources based on the marketability of the rail to multiple users without first demanding that AML or other users sign off taker agreements before investing. This according to GOL sources was something that AML demanded to demonstrate that the Consortium was financially capable. To the utmost surprise of some in Government who have been stalling progress on multiuser rail access, the Consortium, according to sources, requires absolutely............" 𝐈'𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐔𝐒 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭. #Liberia #AML #HPX #Ivanhoe #SMFG #Guinea

Railroads are the future - Intelligent rail infrastructure software technologies prevent operational hazards contributing to safer, more efficient service. However the funding gap in railroad development increases uncertainty for investors to evaluate profitability and ROI. To keep the cost of financing low—and, indeed to access private sector financing at all—these governance risks must be addressed to investors’ satisfaction.  🎗 On sector governance, the private investor wants to know, “If I invest in this railway or this project, will the government change the rules of the game in a way that reduces the funding that is supposed to pay back my investment?”  🎗On corporate governance, the private investor will ask, “Does the governance structure of the #railway company ensure that it will take commercially viable/sensible decisions that will support its ability to pay back investors?” #investor #railsector #infrastructure #intelligentrailwaysoftware #sectorgovernance #corporategovernance #fundinggap #profitability

The High Speed #Rail Group (HSRG) has released its latest report, ‘Driving #Investment in #Rail #Infrastructure’. This report outlines the critical steps needed to develop a comprehensive long-term #rail #infrastructure strategy that actively engages the #investment community and explores a broad range of #funding options, including those that harness private #investment. As the acute need for #investment into #rail has grown, recent decisions to roll back on major #rail #infrastructure projects, coupled with shrinking public finances, have posed significant challenges to #funding #infrastructure development. The report stresses that engaging with the #privatesector will not only provide the vital #finance required for #infrastructure #development to go ahead, but it will also create the right environment for the industry to deliver #infrastructure on time and within budget, with potential for future cost reductions. #funding #infrastructure #development #Investment #privatesector https://lnkd.in/d6BbzZr2

From success to impact: Our Infrastructure Debt team is shaping the future of infrastructure across the Americas. Stay tuned as we highlight recent transaction closings for the team, starting with a transformative toll road project in Colombia’s toll road network. Serving as a vital transportation link between the Northwest of Colombia and the rest of the country, the Conexión Norte 4G toll road project drives regional economic growth while also improving access and opportunities for underserved communities. ACP participated as the sole investor in the USD120 million institutional tranche issuance for the Conexión Norte toll road concession in Colombia´s Antioquia region. This investment is part of the broader USD 537 million financing package for the project. The project will significantly improve road connectivity to the Caribbean coast and its ports, reducing travel time for trucks by 6 hours from the economic hub Medellin to the coast city Cartagena. Travel time in surrounding municipalities will also be reduced, enhancing access for its inhabitants to commerce and essential services. Conexión Norte is part of the toll road program led by the Government of Colombia and consists of the construction, expansion, and operation of 145km of newly and existing roads between major cities in the northwest of Colombia. The consortium is led by Grupo Ortiz. This investment demonstrates the ability of our infrastructure pillar to provide effective solutions and underscores the ongoing commitment to leading the Latin American market and addressing the infrastructure gap in the region., This marks the team’s 3rd investment in Colombia, signaling the continued commitment to providing innovative, financing solutions across the country. *For professional investors only* ** https://ow.ly/go6S50TlV2g #privatemarkets #infrastructure | Allianz Global Investors

The capital expenditure for infrastructure is likely to touch ₹100 trillion in five years!The blueprint would include a ₹20-trillion master plan to develop 50,000 km of expressways, ₹2 trillion towards development of port infrastructure, and a ₹10-12 trillion plan to upgrade the railway network, among others. #India #Infrastructure #Investment #Capex #Indianinfrastructure https://lnkd.in/guqJMKnx

Are we on the verge of a new funding model for transport? An independent review commissioned by the Labour Party has called for high-level proposals to be drawn up by the end of the year for a new model of public-private partnership (PPP). https://lnkd.in/exKSGDkd #construction #funding #finance #ppp #infrastructure