Shipped freight containers destined for SRT have arrived
State Railway of Thailand to Procure 946 New Freight Container Flatcars
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced a significant investment in its freight services, with the approval of a 2.46-billion-baht project to procure 946 new freight container flatcars. This project is part of the SRT's 2023-2027 strategic plan and the 2026 fiscal year action plan.
The new freight cars, highly favoured by the industrial sector for transporting heavy goods such as industrial salt, fertilisers, plastic pellets, and sugar, will have a load capacity of 62 tonnes each and be able to carry two containers per car. They are intended to replace ageing ones and meet growing demand, particularly in connection with double-track rail projects and new railway routes.
The tender documents for this project are expected to be finalised by next February, followed by the bidding process starting in May 2026. Contracts for the new freight cars will be signed by September 2026. Car assembly will begin by July 2027, with the delivery of the cars taking place in five batches from 2027 through 2032.
The cars will be assembled domestically, using a mix of local and imported parts. This will not only support the local industry but also ensure the timely delivery of the new freight cars.
The new freight cars will be used to move containers from various cities in Thailand to Laem Chabang Port, a gateway for global exports. Cities like Nong Khai, Chiang Khong, Hat Yai, and Ubon Ratchathani will benefit from this expansion of rail services.
The addition of the 946 new cars will boost the SRT's rail freight capacity, enabling it to transport around 13 million tonnes of cargo annually. With this procurement, the SRT expects to increase its annual cargo transportation by over nine million tonnes.
The strategic location of the SRT in Southeast Asia supports its role as a regional logistics hub, especially for transporting containers to single rail transfer operators like Laem Chabang Port. This investment in new freight cars will further strengthen the SRT's position in the region.
[1] This procurement will significantly increase rail freight capacity to meet growing demand aligned with SRT’s strategic plan from 2023 to 2027.
[1] The investment in 946 new freight container flatcars by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) aligns with their strategic plan from 2023 to 2027, aiming to boost the rail freight capacity to meet growing demand in the industry.
[2] As part of the SRT's strategic plan, the acquisition of these new freight cars will provide a modern solution for the transport of heavy goods, such as industrial products, fertilisers, and sugar, in the finance and aerospace sectors, thus enhancing the overall business efficiency.
[3] The timely delivery of the new freight cars in batches from 2027 through 2032 will support the transportation of goods from various cities in Thailand to the Laem Chabang Port, boosting export activities and securing the SRT's position as a vital transportation link in Southeast Asia for businesses and investments.
