SINGPAORE Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded contracts with a total value of around $S 948m ($US 663m) to construct three underground stations on the East Coast section of the Thomson East Coast Line (TEL).

ETIHAD Rail confirmed on January 26 that it has suspended tendering for the construction of the second phase of the UAE's national railway network in a move which is likely to deal a significant blow to the GCC Railway project.

MTR Corporation MTR Nordic announced on January 25 that it will take full control of the company responsible for maintaining Stockholm's metro train fleet after reaching an agreement with Mantena, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norwegian State Railways (NSB) to acquire its 50% stake in Tunnelbaneteknik Stockholm (TBT).

SPANISH national train operator Renfe has shortlisted six manufacturers for a framework contract to supply and maintain a new fleet of high-speed trains.

THE slowdown in China's economic growth has translated into a significant year-on-year decline in rail freight volumes, according to official data released by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on January 26.

ALGIERS Metro Company (EMA) has awarded a consortium of Colas Rail and Algerian partner Kou GC has two contracts with a total value of €168m for work on two extensions of the Algiers metro network.

MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Company (MSC) announced on January 21 that its MSC Rail subsidiary has completed its acquisition of Portugal's former state-owned rail freight operator CP Carga.

STRUKTON Rail announced on January 22 that it will increase its stake in Bologna-based railway infrastructure contractor Construzioni Linee Ferroviarie (CLF) to 100% with the acquisition of the 40% stake in the company currently held by Unieco, Italy.

THE New South Wales state Department of Transport (Transport for NSW) has invited expressions of interest for contracts to to design and construct a new light rail line in the city of Newcastle.