New Japanese consortium eye high-speed rail project

A Japanese consortium - comprising the East Japan Railway Company (JR-East), Sumitomo Corporation, Hitachi and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - has begun groundwork ahead of bidding for the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project, linking Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, and intend to offer the efficiency and reliability of Japan's Shinkansen bullet train system.

Targeted for completion in 2020, the line will be up to 340km in length and is undergoing an engineering study. Issues such as financing and governance will have to be worked out by the governments of both countries before a tender can be called, reported The Straits Times.

The Japanese consortium was formed a year ago and Singapore-based Executives from JR-East and Sumitomo told The Straits Times on Wednesday that presentations were made to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) last November, and Malaysia's Land Public Transport Commission this month.

Mr. Katsuhito Horiguchi, General Manager of the Environment and Infrastructure group at Sumitomo Corporation Asia and Oceania, revealed the firm started seeking for partners about three years ago. The exact roles of the four core members have yet to be decided, although it is likely they will play to the strengths of each.

Trading house Sumitomo can be expected to drive the project development, while Shinkansen operator JR-East will offer train operations and maintenance know-how. Hitachi and Mitsubishi could supply the technical expertise. This is the first time the four large corporations have joined together for an HSR project, although Sumitomo was part of another consortium that aided to build the Taiwan High Speed Rail, using technology similar to the Shinkansen.

Mr. Horiguchi cited it is too early to reveal the group's plans for the HSR, but is confident the consortium can achieve the Shinkansen's maximum commercial speed of 320km/h, with a train frequency of four minutes.

Safety is a key factor which would separate the Japanese consortium from rival bidders, tipped to come from Europe and China, as there have been no fatal incidents since the Shinkansen started operations in 1946.