Korea, Japan and Europe Competing for Brazil Bullet Train

Brazil’s $20 billion bullet train venture bid is becoming a race between the three main competitors: South Korea, Japan, and Europe.

They will be competing for the right to run a high speed train in country. The auction has been extended in order to allow other companies to participate.

The Korean representatives are 15 local firms including the state-run railway operator Korail, Korea Rail Network Authority, Hyundai Rotem and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Brazil is planning to build a 510 km high speed railway in order to connect Rio with Sao Paulo and Campinas. The rail line, which will operate at speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, is expected to be completed ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Korea has been planning for a while to export their bullet trains KTX-II to different countries. The 2016 Summer Olympics will be hosted by Brazil.

(아주경제 제임스 김 기자)

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com