First Chinese-Made Trains for Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link Roll Off Line
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The first batch of locomotives for Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) — the largest overseas infrastructure venture spearheaded by a Chinese firm — has rolled off the production line in Dalian, signaling a key milestone ahead of the project’s anticipated launch in early 2027.
The 665-kilometer railway is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, designed to connect Malaysia’s less-developed east coast with its economic heartland on the west coast. More broadly, the ECRL is seen as a crucial component of the Pan-Asia Railway network, with the potential to connect with Thailand and Singapore, significantly enhancing regional land-based trade routes.
The initial rolling stock, manufactured by CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd., includes passenger and freight locomotives commissioned by China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC), the project’s main contractor. CCCC confirmed on Wednesday that two CR200J electric multiple units (EMUs) and two HXD3C electric locomotives were completed this month. The 2022 contract covers 11 EMUs and 12 freight locomotives, with production having begun in April 2025. The remainder is scheduled for delivery by 2026.
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- The first batch of locomotives for Malaysia’s 665-km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a major Belt and Road Initiative project, has been produced in China, with train delivery set to complete by 2026 ahead of the anticipated 2027 launch.
- ECRL aims to connect Malaysia’s east and west coasts and could become part of a network linking Thailand and Singapore, boosting regional trade.
- The project is expected to generate $4.2 billion in value and currently employs about 13,000 workers, 70% of whom are local.
- CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd.
- CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd. (中车大连机车车辆有限公司) is the manufacturer of the first batch of locomotives for Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). They produced the initial rolling stock, including passenger and freight locomotives, for the project. The 2022 contract includes 11 EMUs and 12 freight locomotives, with production starting in April 2025 and remaining deliveries scheduled by 2026.
- China Communications Construction Co. Ltd.
- China Communications Construction Co. Ltd. (CCCC) is the main contractor for Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link (ECRL). They commissioned the initial batch of locomotives for the ECRL project, which recently rolled off the production line. CCCC confirmed the completion of two electric multiple units and two electric locomotives this month, with the remaining deliveries scheduled by 2026. This project is a flagship of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
- CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co. Ltd.
- CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co. Ltd. is another unit of CRRC responsible for manufacturing the carriages and control cars for Malaysia's East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
- 2016：
- The ECRL project was initially proposed.
- 2018：
- The ECRL project was suspended due to political changes and cost concerns.
- 2019：
- The ECRL project resumed with a scaled-down scope.
- 2022：
- A contract was signed covering 11 EMUs and 12 freight locomotives for the ECRL project.
- April 2025：
- Production began on the ECRL rolling stock.
- November 19, 2025：
- CCCC confirmed that two CR200J electric multiple units and two HXD3C electric locomotives were completed in November 2025.
- As of November 2025：
- About 13,000 workers are employed on the ECRL project, with over 90% local procurement.
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