en.Wedoany.com Reported - Alstom has officially laid the foundation for its new industrial base in Matosinhos, Porto region, Portugal, a key development following the company's contract with Comboios de Portugal (CP) to supply 153 commuter and regional trains. The project aims to create a new railway industrial hub in Portugal and strengthen the country's role in Alstom's European industrial network.
Covering an area of over 20,000 square meters, the base will be equipped with advanced production technologies, with construction carried out in collaboration with Portuguese civil engineering company DST. The project fully aligns with Alstom's strategy to optimize its industrial layout by anchoring part of its production closer to the Portuguese market, thereby improving operational efficiency, reducing logistics complexity, and ensuring delivery performance.
The project is expected to create approximately 300 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs, contributing to the development of local railway skills and expertise. A total of 81 trains will be manufactured in Portugal to strengthen local industry and build a domestic railway ecosystem.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro stated that this collaboration reflects the country's industrial ambitions and technological capabilities, noting that a railway project of this scale requires strong alliances with reliable long-term partners. Pedro Moreira, President of Comboios de Portugal, described the project as transformative, providing more modern, efficient, and accessible services, with trains manufactured in Portugal. Andrew DeLeone, President of Alstom Europe, pointed out that the project is not only an industrial milestone but also plays a key role in delivering the CP contract under optimal conditions. David Torres, General Manager of Alstom Portugal, added that local capabilities will support efficient contract delivery while contributing to the creation of skilled jobs and a more competitive railway industry.
The next-generation three-car trainsets produced at the base can accommodate up to 450 passengers and are designed specifically for the Portuguese market. The trains will feature step-free entrances, flat floors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and bicycles. Developed according to eco-design principles, the trains have a recyclability rate of over 95%.
Alstom has been present in Portugal for over 30 years, and currently, two out of every three trains operating in the country are manufactured by Alstom or use its technology, covering high-speed trains, regional trains, metros, and commuter trains. In the digital domain, over 1,500 kilometers of the Portuguese railway network and more than 500 onboard units are managed by Alstom's ATP* system. In urban transport, Alstom provides the signaling system for the Porto Metro and manufactured the first 102 trains, as well as supplying the onboard ATP system for the 18 trains recently procured by the operator.
