‘Everyone is here, so we have to be here too’

With 2,946 exhibitors from 59 countries, the 14th InnoTrans was more international than ever before. But this was not only true for the exhibitors. The guests also included people from all continents. A total of 37 foreign delegations travelled to Berlin to find out about the latest developments in transport technology.

A delegation from Colombia visited InnoTrans for the first time. They included representatives from the Ministry of Transport, the Medellín metro and the Bogotá transport company, where a metro with two lines has been under construction since 2020. Commuter trains are also being planned. ‘Rail transport is more important than ever in Colombia. One of the government's priorities is to expand the infrastructure,’ said Veronica Cristancho, project coordinator at the German-Colombian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, which organised the trip. ‘So far, the focus has been on inner-city transport, but in the future it will also be on long-distance routes.’ In total, the Colombians spent a week in Berlin. In addition to InnoTrans, the programme also included a visit to a workshop and discussions with representatives of Deutsche Bahn.

Rodrigo Vilaça and Alexandre Barros from RV Conecta had travelled from neighbouring Brazil. The Brazilians visited their country's joint stand in Hall 10.2, which was attended by 63 companies with 250 employees from the railway industry. The ‘Brazil on Rails’ companies include component manufacturers, software and consulting firms as well as government companies and transport associations.

‘We bring together national and multinational companies at our stand to give them access to all the new developments in the industry at InnoTrans,’ emphasised Rodrigo Vilaça, who organised the joint stand for the sixth time. ‘It is important to us that as many interested parties as possible can take part, because InnoTrans is the trade fair in the world with the most comprehensive solutions. They are centred here in Berlin for a week. Everyone is here, so we need to be here too.’

Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente Santiago's tour of the trade fair took him and his delegation to companies from Europe and Asia. Among other things, he took a look inside the cockpit of the latest ETR1000 train from Hitachi Rail on the open-air and track area.

‘I have to be informed about all innovations in trains. Especially about new systems and drives. Spain is a leader when it comes to its high-speed railway network. We need new trains for this,’ said the politician, explaining his visit. ‘Here at InnoTrans, we can see what will be on the market in five to ten years' time, such as the latest hydrogen trains.’

Óscar Puente Santiago also supported the Spanish companies exhibiting at InnoTrans on behalf of the government. More than 70 of them are members of MAFEX. The association of the Spanish railway industry celebrated its 20th anniversary at InnoTrans 2024. Óscar Puente Santiago honoured the achievements of the association and its members in his speech at the MAFEX stand.

Important business contacts

KellyAnne Gallagher, CEO Commuter Rail Coalition, brought buyers from the USA to InnoTrans. ‘It's not only important for me, but also for our members to be here. There are no comparable trade fairs in the USA with so many suppliers and service providers. By visiting InnoTrans, they can see all the opportunities in the rail industry,’ emphasised the mobility expert.

She organised the tour so that the members of the delegation could easily find their way around the trade fair. After all, with its 42 halls plus outdoor and track areas, InnoTrans can quickly seem overwhelming in size.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Welfare and Director General and Chairman of the Board of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), came from Dubai. At InnoTrans, he and his delegation gained an impression of transport projects in his region. A model at the RTA stand shows the impressive Dubai Metro Blue Line Station. The new metro line is set to enhance public transport in the city from 2040.

There were further opportunities for dialogue with CEOs right next door at Etihad Rail and at the Saudi Arabia Railways Company (SAR), where the luxury train ‘Dream of the Desert’ was presented, among other things. But Mattar Al Tayer also cultivated contacts beyond the Arab world. At the CRRC Cooperation stand, he found out about rail solutions for freight harbours, among other things. After all, Dubai is home to the busiest ports in the Middle East.