Siemens victory
October 29, 2010
Britain's High Court rejected a request on Friday by Alstom, the traditional supplier of rolling stock to Eurostar, for an injunction against its favored deal with Germany's Siemens.
Eurostar, which operates passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel recently ordered 10 new trains from Siemens, in a deal which threatened to engulf France and Germany in a protectionist row.
Alstom, which also makes high-speed TGV trains, had been backed by France's Transport Ministry in its claim that Siemens trains ordered by Eurostar do not comply with current safety standards set by the Franco-British commission which regulates the tunnel.
The judge said Alstom did not have a "serious case" and that granting a suspension "would be against the public interest."
Eurostar said it was pleased the matter had been resolved, adding that it always aimed to conduct a rigorous tender to select the best trains.
Deutsche Bahn, which plans to introduce services through the Channel Tunnel from 2013, linking London directly with Frankfurt and Amsterdam, has also placed a 500-million-euro order with Siemens for 15 new high-speed ICE trains.
Author: Joanna Impey (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Chuck Penfold