Siemens (SIEGn.DE) has temporarily halted the delivery of its new fast-speed ICE trains to Deutsche Bahn after detecting defects in some components, the German conglomerate announced on Thursday.
A spokesperson for Siemens stated, “Siemens Mobility is in close dialogue with Deutsche Bahn and the subcontractor and is working hard to resolve the issue.”
The spokesperson clarified that the 21 out of 90 trains already delivered to Deutsche Bahn are unaffected and can be used safely.
The defects were discovered during quality assurance tests, revealing issues with weld seams in certain components.
Siemens is collaborating with Deutsche Bahn to establish a timeline for addressing these defects. “Siemens Mobility does not compromise on the quality and safety of its trains,” the spokesperson emphasized.
This halt in deliveries was first reported by Bild daily.
Deutsche Bahn faces significant pressure to modernize its aging rail network to help Germany meet its climate targets.
The government aims to double rail passenger numbers and increase the market share of rail freight traffic by 2030, making the timely delivery of these trains critical for achieving these goals.