34 locomotives covered by Alstom LKAB locomotive maintenance deal

Alstom LKAB locomotive maintenance is at the centre of a 12-year agreement in Sweden. It covers technical support and spares supply for 34 locomotives used in iron ore transport. The contract runs from 1 January 2026.

Alstom LKAB locomotive maintenance and fleet support

As Alstom announced on 25 March 2026, the agreement covers service for 34 locomotives. It mainly covers the IORE heavy-haul locomotives. These are considered among the world’s most powerful.

They were designed for some of Europe’s heaviest freight operations. Meanwhile, they run year-round in challenging conditions. Also, their long-term availability is critical for mining operations. In addition, their performance matters for Sweden’s broader industrial competitiveness.

Don’t miss…Rail supplier news from contracts to switch models

Under the agreement, Alstom said it will provide the highest fleet availability. It will also provide cost predictability and sustained technical expertise. These measures are intended to support reliable freight rail operations. “We are proud of the trust LKAB Malmtrafik places in us and fully committed to supporting reliable rail services that are essential to Sweden’s mineral transport”, said Carl-Peder Öhlander, Customer Director at Alstom.

Long partnership and Malmbanan upgrades

The Alstom LKAB locomotive maintenance agreement continues a relationship that dates back to 2001. That was the year the IORE locomotives were delivered. Alstom and LKAB Malmtrafik have worked together since 2007. That work has been under Technical Support, Spares and Supply Agreements. Those arrangements were renegotiated in 2016. They were renewed through the 12-year contract signed in December 2025.

In addition, Alstom is modernising the IORE fleet through technical upgrades. Separately, it is installing ERTMS/ETCS. The aim is to extend service life. It also aims to ensure safe transport on the Malmbanan. It aims to keep iron ore transport reliable in Arctic conditions.

As LKAB notes, these freight trains are essential for transporting iron ore and minerals. They carry iron ore and minerals from northern Sweden. They also move them to the rest of the world. Also, these rail movements are a key link in Sweden’s industrial supply chain. Meanwhile, they help ensure stable deliveries to the steel industry. In addition, they support export revenues, employment and economic growth.

Alstom’s technical support and spares supply ensures uninterrupted operations, reliability and cost control. Also, it helps minimise obsolescence risk. Meanwhile, it supports availability guarantees.

Workshops, logistics and local support in Sweden

The scope of delivery includes comprehensive technical support, spare parts supply and logistics. It also includes component revisions and obsolescence management. This work uses Alstom’s FlexCare Perform services together with local and global expertise.

For example, bogie revisions are to be handled at the company’s Luleå workshop. At the same time, traction revisions will be done at the component workshop in Västerås. Auxiliary converter revisions will also be done there.

Still, local support will also be provided through a dedicated warehouse in Kiruna. It will be staffed by Alstom personnel. Meanwhile, the delivery also draws on Alstom’s broader supply network and expertise. This includes cooperation involving sites in Switzerland, England and Germany.

“Secure and predictable rail operations are fundamental to our mining and logistics operations. This long-term agreement with Alstom ensures high availability of our locomotive fleet and gives us the stability needed to plan production and deliveries”, said Catarina Albertsson, Head of Locomotives and Railway Wagons at LKAB Malmtrafik.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: