Alstom and LKAB Malmtrafik, a Swedish rail operator, have signed a long-term agreement for technical support and the supply of spare parts for IORE heavy-haul locomotives. The agreement is valid for 12 years, starting January 1, 2026.
The agreement covers full service for 34 locomotives, primarily IORE heavy-haul locomotives, considered among the most powerful locomotives in the world. Designed for some of the heaviest and most demanding freight operations in Europe, these locomotives operate year-round under extreme conditions. Ensuring their long-term availability and performance is crucial for both mining operations and Sweden’s industrial competitiveness.
Through this agreement, Alstom will ensure maximum locomotive availability, cost predictability, and continuous technical expertise to support reliable rail freight operations.
Alstom will provide comprehensive technical support, spare parts, and logistics, including component overhauls and parts aging management, utilizing FlexCare Perform services and local and international expertise.
Bogie overhauls will be performed at the Alstom workshop in Luleå, and traction and auxiliary converter overhauls will take place at the component workshop in Västerås. Operations will be supported locally by a dedicated warehouse in Kiruna, managed by Alstom personnel. Delivery is reinforced by Alstom’s international supply network and expertise, with key partnerships in Switzerland, England, and Germany.
25 Years of Partnership
The agreement reinforces the long-standing collaboration between Alstom and LKAB Malmtrafik, which began with the delivery of IORE heavy-haul locomotives in 2001. Alstom has had technical support, spare parts, and maintenance (TSSSA) agreements with LKAB Malmtrafik since 2007, renegotiated in 2016 and now renewed through the 12-year contract signed in December 2025.
In parallel with this long-term maintenance contract, Alstom is modernizing the IORE locomotive fleet, including technical upgrades and the installation of the ERTMS/ETCS system, to extend the service life and ensure the safe and reliable transport of iron ore on the Malmbanan in Arctic conditions.
The reliable operation of LKAB Malmtrafik’s freight trains is essential for transporting iron ore and minerals from northern Sweden to the rest of the world. These rail operations represent a key link in Sweden’s industrial supply chain, ensuring stable deliveries to the steel industry and supporting export revenues, jobs, and economic growth. Technical support and spare parts supply from Alstom ensure uninterrupted operations, reliability, and cost control, with minimal risk of component obsolescence and guaranteed availability.
The Swedish rail operator is responsible for transporting iron ore extracted from mines in northern Sweden to export ports. The company operates the Iron Ore Line, which is essential for transporting iron ore to the export ports of Luleå (Sweden) and Narvik (Norway).
The company’s rolling stock fleet includes 28 heavy-haul IORE locomotives and 750 hopper cars (tipping cars), with trains consisting of 68 cars and a total weight of 8,600 tons, enabling the transport of 33 million tons of ore per year. The powerful IORE locomotives, specially designed for heavy-haul trains and extreme winter conditions.
Share on: 
