Malaysia East Coast Rail Link trains roll out in Dalian

Malaysia East Coast Rail Link trains have reached a key production milestone at CRRC Dalian’s plant in Dalian, Liaoning province. As reported by Asianews Network, the very first batch for the project includes two electric multiple units (EMUs) and two electric locomotives, marking the start of fleet deliveries.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Under the current delivery schedule, these four CRRC Dalian electric multiple units and locomotives are due to be shipped to Malaysia before the end of this year. The rest of the fleet will follow from the second quarter of 2026. In total, CRRC Dalian is responsible for manufacturing 11 EMUs and 12 locomotives for the project — figures that are also highlighted in coverage by Malay Mail.

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CRRC Dalian supplies trains for the East Coast Rail Link project

While CRRC Dalian focuses on rolling stock, the railway itself is being built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). Stretching for more than 600 kilometers across Peninsular Malaysia, the line is intended to connect the country’s eastern and western seaboards and to create a new corridor for passengers, freight, and trade flows. The Malaysia East Coast Rail Link trains will eventually run along this route, moving people, goods, and containers between regions. For readers following the construction side of the scheme, Railway Supply has previously covered broader progress on the East Coast Rail Link.

Dato’ Sri Darwis Abdul Razak, CEO of Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), the government-owned company overseeing the project, characterises the East Coast Rail Link as both a national transformation initiative for Malaysia and a flagship element of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In practical terms, he suggests, the line is expected to redraw internal transport links and strengthen regional trade routes at the same time.

CRRC Dalian international revenue growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan

CRRC Dalian’s involvement in this Belt and Road Initiative rail project comes at a time when its overseas business has been expanding rapidly. The company’s products have already been exported to more than 33 countries and regions — among them Laos, Thailand, and Kazakhstan — illustrating how its role as a rolling stock supplier extends well beyond Malaysia.

According to Bo Ke, general manager of the firm’s international business department, international revenue has almost tripled since the start of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025). Over the same period, profitability has improved noticeably, while the total cumulative value of international contracts has increased by a factor of 3.5. Taken together, these figures show how projects such as the Malaysia East Coast Rail Link electric trains feed into CRRC Dalian’s wider global growth story.

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