Maintenance of the IORE locomotives
updated on 29th May 2026 16:14 posted on 3rd Apr 2026 10:46
In December 2025 Alstom has signed a long-term technical support and spares supply agreement with LKAB Malmtrafik, covering a 12-year period starting 1 January 2026. The agreement covers comprehensive service of 34 units, primarily the IORE heavy-haul locomotives, one of the world’s most powerful locomotives, operating year-round in challenging conditions. Ensuring their long-term availability and performance is critical for both mining operations and for Sweden’s broader industrial competitiveness.
This agreement reinforces the long-standing collaboration between Alstom and LKAB Malmtrafik since the delivery of the IORE locomotives in 2001 (built by Adtranz and then by Bombardier Transportation). The manufacturer has had Technical Support, Spares and Supply Agreements (TSSSA) with LKAB Malmtrafik since 2007, renegotiated in 2016, and now renewed through the 12‑year contract signed in December 2025.
Alstom will deliver comprehensive technical support, spare parts supply and logistics, including component revisions and obsolescence management, leveraging its FlexCare Perform services and both local and global expertise. Bogie revisions will be carried out at Alstom’s workshop in Luleå, while traction and auxiliary converter revisions will be performed at the Västerås component workshop. Operations will be supported locally through a dedicated warehouse in Kiruna, staffed by Alstom personnel. The delivery is further strengthened by Alstom’s international supply network and expertise, with key collaboration across sites in Switzerland, England and Germany.
In addition to this long‑term maintenance contract, Alstom is modernising the IORE locomotive fleet, including technical upgrades and the installation of on-board ETCS, to extend service life and ensure safe, reliable iron ore transport on the Malmbanan in Arctic conditions.
The modernisation and ETCS OBU installations are separate projects. Alstom is working with LKAB to upgrade 18 sections built between 2002 and 2004, the contract was signed in 2018 and started in 2021. Alstom is delivering modernisation kits which LKAB themselves are installing. The first modernised section, IORE 107, was completed in June 2021. The plan is to deliver the final kits to LKAB in May 2027.
The modernisation includes new traction and auxiilary converters, new auxiliary frequency converter cubicle, including new battery charger, new HMI with new TCMS, HVAC control, updated software, new auxiliary compressor tank, sidewindow heater, replacement of toilet, new cab power outlet. Part of the contract isl also the Alstom's support with homologation of modernised IOREs in Sweden and Norway.
The retrofit of ETCS OBUs is part of a wider upgrade of the Malmbanan with the purpose of increasing capacity and ensuring operations run smoothly.
