Russian Railways (RZD) has pledged to revive an abandoned multi-million dollar plan aimed at revitalizing and modernizing Cuba's railway system. The announcement was made at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where details of the contract with Cuba were unveiled despite previous suspensions and delays primarily due to the Cuban government's inability to pay.
"The contract for remodeling and modernizing Cuba's railway infrastructure includes several railway branches, particularly the central Havana-Santiago de Cuba line, which spans 835 kilometers," said Sergei Pavlov, RZD's deputy director, in an interview with Sputnik News, cited by Prensa Latina.
Additionally, the project covers the southern line from 19 de Noviembre station to Navajas, including the Havana node and the Montalvo branch, which extends 166 kilometers, and the Cienfuegos-Santa Clara line and Refinery branch, totaling 77.4 kilometers. This renovation encompasses just over a thousand kilometers of Cuba's 12,000-kilometer railway network, which was part of the original plan.
Impact on Travel Time
The projection suggests significant reductions in train travel time, especially for the route between Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The travel time, which currently can take up to 24 hours, could be reduced to 12 hours—almost halving the current duration.
RZD's Pavlov noted that the contract includes the development of a general plan for railway network development, the creation of a unified railway transport management center, and personnel training.
According to Pavlov, RZD has maintained contact with Havana to resume this ambitious project, which was shelved in 2020. "Unfortunately, we've had to suspend our comprehensive modernization project for Cuba's railway infrastructure due to economic difficulties and quarantine restrictions on the island. However, we hope to resume operations once the situation stabilizes," the official said in October of that year, referring to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In October 2019, the Russian investment company Sinara signed an agreement to invest approximately $200 million in Cuba's railway infrastructure, which included the delivery of 75 locomotives from 2016 to 2021. Also in that year, RZD signed a contract with Havana to begin modernizing Cuba's railway system at a value of 1.888 billion euros (more than $2 billion).
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Railway Modernization
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding the modernization of Cuba's railway system by Russian Railways and their implications for the future.
Why was the railway modernization project in Cuba initially suspended?
The project was suspended due to economic difficulties and quarantine restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
What are the main routes included in the modernization plan?
The main routes include the central Havana-Santiago de Cuba line, the southern 19 de Noviembre station to Navajas, the Havana node, the Montalvo branch, and the Cienfuegos-Santa Clara line.
How much is the total investment in Cuba's railway modernization?
The total investment in the modernization of Cuba's railway system is more than $2 billion.
What impact will the modernization have on travel times?
The modernization is expected to significantly reduce travel times, especially for the Havana-Santiago de Cuba route, cutting the journey from up to 24 hours to approximately 12 hours.