Austrian IoT technology company Kontron is modernising key control components at an Antwerp rail yard.

It has secured the infrastructure contract as part of a consortium with Belgian company Cegelec Infra Technics. The contract value is in the double-digit million euro range.

The contract was awarded through an international tender, in which Kontron, a specialist in industrial software, prevailed as part of the consortium with Cegelec Infra Technics (www.cegelec.be) against several competing bidders.

Antwerp North is the second largest marshalling yard in Europe, making it a key hub in European freight rail transport. Its direct connection to the port of Antwerp makes it one of the most important trans-shipment points for international goods transport. The contracting authority is the Belgian infrastructure operator Infrabel (infrabel.be).

The project focuses on renewing the control and automation systems used for automated train formation. Existing systems will be replaced with a modern and future-ready offering that ensures long-term availability of spare parts. As part of the project, Kontron will renew the entire route and brake control systems, along with the control of remote-operated shunting locomotives. Operational safety and system availability are priorities in this software development.

The project will use Kontron’s YardLynx software, a flexible, modular controller designed to meet diverse requirements and scenarios in train formation yards. The modernisation includes subsystems B2 and C2, with a total of 96 classification tracks. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.

“The Antwerp contract is a milestone for our company,” said Michael Jacob, managing director of Kontron AIS, part of Kontron’s software division. “It shows that we can compete internationally with our complete software offering and that we are recognised as a reliable technology partner for complex infrastructure projects.”

With this project, Kontron (www.kontron.com) is continuing to expand its software business in the international railway infrastructure market. The contract is said to confirm the growing importance of secure and reliably operable digitalisation in the field of public transportation.