Italferr, the engineering company of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group, a leader in the digitisation and hi-tech management of construction sites and complex works, hosted a high-level bilateral meeting at its headquarters in Rome between a delegation from Latvia, led by the Latvian Minister of Economy, Mr. Viktors Valainis, and the CEO Dario Lo Bosco and senior management of Italferr. Representing the Italian government was Mr. Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the International Affairs Office of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
The meeting provided an opportunity for high-level discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between Italy and Latvia in the railway infrastructure and mobility sector, with FS Group.
It was an important opportunity to discuss future synergies between the two countries, with a focus on prospects for joint development in the field of large-scale projects involving high-level technological and engineering innovation and to further the role of Italian railways in sustainable mobility in Latvia.
Prof. Lo Bosco illustrated the digital and technological expertise and capabilities that have led Italferr to become a globally recognised leader in the design and construction of complex infrastructure projects, establishing itself as a centre of excellence for digital construction site management and hi-tech training worldwide, with significant projects completed or under way across five continents.
The CEO then emphasised how Italferr's leadership goes far beyond the railway system, which is interconnected with roads, motorways, airports, ports and interports, and has consolidated its position in station and technology hubs, sustainability and urban regeneration, to support increasingly efficient mobility thanks to AI and smart systems.
Ms. Irene Gionfriddo, Head of Foreign, Business Affairs and Sustainability Management at Italferr, illustrated the core collaboration platform of the strategic Rail Baltica project, a high-speed rail infrastructure designed to connect Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the rest of the European TEN-T network, in which our company is involved with three highly strategic contracts.
The first contract, awarded in April 2021, with a duration of 7.5 years, covers Engineering Services for Preparation, Procurement and Supervision of Rail Baltica ENE Energy Subsystem Deployment, and provides for the design and delivery of construction tender support, site supervision, testing and commissioning services for the Energy subsystem of the entire network (870 km), including the traction power supply and substations and the overhead contact systems.
The second contract, launched in January 2022, with a duration of 10.5 years, regards the Engineering Services for Preparation, Procurement and Supervision of Rail Baltica Control-Command and Signalling Subsystem Deployment, and provides for the design and delivery of construction tender support, site supervision, testing and commissioning services for all signalling (ERTMS) and telecommunications subsystems for the entire network (870 km).
Both contracts, each one in its specific field, represent the largest single design and consulting contract for electrification and signalling projects worldwide, aimed at connecting three different countries with a single infrastructure.
Finally, in July 2023, Italferr acquired a third contract, as Sole Contractor, Consulting Engineer and Construction Supervision Services for the Rail Baltica Mainline Construction in Latvia, from EDZL, the national implementer of the Rail Baltica project in Latvia. This contract provides for consulting and supervision services for civil engineering works on the approximately 230 km long Latvian section of the line and constitutes a sort of framework agreement that will be further developed in the future.
The CEO of Italferr emphasised how "These contracts are a source of great pride for us, which we wish to extend to other parts of the world where we are engaged in designing and building major projects involving highly innovative technology and engineering," while Ms. Gionfriddo reiterated, and expressed her hope for, "the continuation of our current work, also confirming that the company is available and willing to engage further with the Latvian government, increasing the number of resources deployed on the projects, which currently involve around 40 local and Italian professionals".
The Latvian Minister of Economy, Mr. Viktors Valainis – accompanied by a delegation composed of Aija Mazitāne (Chief of Staff), Agnese Jaunzeme (Deputy Head of the Foreign Trade Division), Aelita Čākure (Deputy Head of the Latvian Mission in Italy) and Guntis Rubīns (Head of the Representative Office in Italy) – expressed great interest in the models of engineering excellence and advanced technological solutions that Italferr is committed to implementing in a broad range of international projects, also thanking Italferr for the fruitful opportunity for discussion and expressing his hope for new synergies and the further recognition of Italferr and the FS Group as key drivers of the development of interconnected mobility systems.
"The Rail Baltica project represents a major economic and technological challenge for the entire European Union, and we are confident that, with Italferr at our side, we will accomplish it in the best possible way. In fact, what you see as a challenge is, for us, an opportunity. You are a global company, and together we can achieve great things by sharing important technical expertise and building new infrastructure."
Italferr, which boasts over 40 years of experience in the development of conventional and high-speed railway projects, mass transport systems, road projects, bridges, tunnels, stations and innovative, advanced digital systems, has yet again confirmed its position as a key player in the world of global engineering.
Deputy Minister Cirielli and the Latvian Minister of Economy intend to meet again in Latvia, in the near future, to reciprocate the official visit and sign the hoped-for partnerships with Italferr and FS Italiane, in strategic sectors of mutual interest.
This meeting has further strengthened Italferr's commitment to promoting a global vision through strategic partnerships, actively contributing to technological and infrastructural progress worldwide, with the support of the MIT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.